Rafters Hold off Woodchucks in Nightcap

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (15-2) used a five-run first inning and scoreless outings from four different pitchers to defeat the Wausau Woodchucks (8-10) 6-1 to split Thursday’s doubleheader at Witter Field.

The hometown Rafters jumped in front with five unearned runs off starter Calvin Shepherd (Illinois), who fell to 0-2 but has not surrendered an earned run in two outings.

Jace Baumann (UW-Stout) pitched the next four innings, striking out six Rafters and allowing just one run. The fourth-year Woodchuck passed the torch to DJ Radtke (University of Georgia) next, who threw two scoreless innings in his first relief appearance of 2022. Tyler Denu (Evansville) would keep the Rafters off the board in the eighth inning in what was his best relief outing of the year thus far.

The offense threatened with baserunners in all nine innings, but failed to score until they were down to their final out. Tim Conway (North Georgia) was plated by the RBI groundout of Amani Larry (New Orleans).

Hunter Dorraugh (San Jose State) reached base via three walks in the loss. Cal Hejza (Illinois) and Collin Reuter (BYU) each recorded multi-hit games as well.

Up Next

First pitch against the Traverse City Pit Spitters is set for 6:35 p.m. on Friday at Athletic Park. Join us for post-game fireworks presented by Fleet Farm! The team will take the field in specialty Wausau Woodchucks jerseys on Saturday to raise money for the Safe Kids program, presented by Aspirus.