Rafters Drop Series Finale

Box Score

Wisconsin Rapids,Wis.- As the rain fell, the field and the play turned a little sloppy in a game won by the Battle Creek Bombers (9-11) over the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (5-15).  The two teams combined for 7 errors in the bombers 6-3 win a night after the two teams played a thrilling 10- inning game.

Bombers’ starter Kyle Slack (Toledo) was solid in his 7 innings of work as he scattered 5 hits and allowed 3 runs, two of which were earned. It was the second time the Rafters were facing Slack. The first outing at Battle Creek, Slack struck out 7 Rafters but on this Fathers Day Slack relied more on his defense as he only struck out 4.

The Rafters’ Ryan Sluder (Oklahoma State) was the star early in the game. His spectacular diving play on a ball hit by Cody Kuzniczci (Northern Kentucky) saved Jon Malmin (Texas) from giving up two early runs. Sluder then showed he is no slouch at the plate as he lined a two run home run out to left field.

After a brief rain shower, the top of the fourth ended up being the deciding frame in the ballgame. The Bombers scored four runs on two hits and were aided by a Rafters’ error and a mixture of several wild pitches and passed balls.

The Rafters will remain at historic Witter Field as they open up a two game series versus the La Crosse Loggers. First pitch is at 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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