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Rafters Drop Sixth Consecutive Game
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.-The Rafters came into Thursday’s game with the lowest team batting average in the Northwoods League, by the end of the night those numbers certainly didn’t improve. Wisconsin Rapids (2-8) lost their sixth consecutive game as they La Crosse Loggers (5-5) picked up the 5-0 shutout victory.
Coming into the game already short on arms, the Rafters needed a solid start from Brandon Schmidt (Central Arkansas). Schmidt, making his 2013 Northwoods League debut, did not deliver the innings eating start the Rafters needed. Schmidt only lasted two innings after he had to be removed from the game due to Northwoods League rules after throwing 36 pitches in what turned out to be the deciding inning of the ballgame. La Crosse would scratch across three runs in the top of the 2nd and never look back.
Thanks to a combination of poor Rafters hitting and great pitching from starter Zack Walsh (Valporaiso) and reliever Marc Frazier, the Loggers were able to cruise to their third win in a row. Wisconsin Rapids’ Kirby McGuire (New Mexico) laid down a bunt single in the bottom of the 3rd to put runners on first and second with no body out. From there 20 Rafters in a row would be retired as the Loggers’ pitching combination mowed through the Wisconsin Rapids lineup. Ryan Burns (Virginia Tech) would finally break the streak with two down in the bottom of the 9th.
A bright spot for the Rafters was their bullpen. Over the final seven innings Wisconsin Rapids’ bullpen only allowed four hits and two runs (one of which was earned). The two runs were given up by backup first baseman Rocky DeSantis (Garden City CC) who came on in a pinch for the Rafters.
The Rafters will look to break their skid against the red-hot Lakeshore Chinooks tomorrow at Kapco Park with first pitch slated for 7:05 pm CST.
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The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.
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