Rafters Looking For A Two Game Sweep Of Rival Mallards

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – The hottest hitting team in the Northwoods League over the past few days has been the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (4-13) and they look to keep it going tonight as they take on the Madison Mallards (10-6). The Rafters had a decisive 12-5 win over the Mallards last night at Witter Field and now head down to Madison for the second game of a home and home series.  

John Kravetz (0-2) will be the pitcher for the Rafters tonight and in spite of his record, Kravetz has had two very good outings this season for the Rafters. The Illinois right hander has given up just five earned runs in 12 innings pitched in his first two starts, and has struck out 11 batters while only walking one. Kravetz looks to follow in the footsteps of teammate Zach Jackson who dominated the Mallards lineup last night by striking out 12 batters in just six innings of work.

Kravetz’s counterpart will be right handed pitcher Chris Oakley (0-1) out of North Carolina. Oakley will be making his third start and fourth appearance overall this season for the Mallards and he has had his fair share of struggles so far this season. Oakley has an ERA of 7.71 and he has walked more batters than he has struck out in his seven innings of work.

Oakley will be facing a Rafter’s lineup that is coming off a home stand filled with production from every part of the lineup. The team leader in home runs and runs batted in, Erik Payne, is coming off of his best hitting performance of the season, as he touched up Mallards pitching for two home runs and a double while driving in five runs. Keelin Rasch had a terrific home stand as well, as he went 7-13 with two doubles and two runs driven over the past three games.

The Rafters defense has slowly but surely shown improvement over the last couple games too, exemplified in last night’s ballgame when Kirby McGuire unleashed his cannon from center field to throw out a Mallards base runner at third base.

The game tonight is at 7:05pm in Madison at Warner Park. After tonight’s game the Rafters will then return to Witter Field for a four game home stand beginning with a two game series against the Battle Creek Bombers. Saturday, June 14th will feature the first post game fireworks show of the season and is presented by Budweiser. Gates open at 5:05pm for the 6:05pm first pitch.

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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.