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Finish Trip Through Michigan 2-2
Battle Creek, Mich.-Game 1: Excellent pitching and sloppy Bombers defense was the story of the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (7-18) 8-2 win over the Battle Creek Bombers (10-14). Rafters’ starter John Kravetz (Illinois) was masterful as he went the distance in a 7- inning game.
It was not smooth sailing for Kravetz from the start as he allowed two 1st inning runs including a bases loaded walk to Cody Kuzinczi (Northern Kentucky). After maneuvering the rough start, Kravetz started mowing down Bombers. From the last batter in the 1st to the lead off man in the 7th, Kravetz put together a string of sixteen consecutive Bombers retired.
The Rafters’ bats also came alive as they scored eight runs off of Bombers’ starter Jacob Waguespack (Ole Miss). Four of the runs were unearned but the Rafters were putting pressure on the righty all game as they banged out ten hits against Waguespack.
Game 2: The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (7-19) put together a valiant comeback ended up for naught in a 5-4 walk- off loss to the Battle Creek Bombers (11-14). Battle Creek jumped out to a 4-0 nothing lead after four of the scheduled seven innings on the Rafters and starter Jake Johansmeier (Eastern Illinois). The big blow was a two run home run off the bat of Joey Havrilak (Akron).
Wisconsin Rapids would scratch across a run in the top of the 5th and put together a frantic rally in the 6th. The Rafters allowed reliever Zac Ryan (Georgia Tech) to do the work for them as he struggled with his control in his one inning of work. After walking two runners on, Ryan allowed a two RBI double to birthday boy Kirby McGuire (New Mexico) who was promptly driven in a batter later off of a Zach Domingues (Long Beach State) RBI single.
The loss came in the bottom of the 7th when Isaac Behme (Webster) allowed a lead off walk to nine hitter Bryan Daniello (UCONN). A Behme throwing error put runners on second and third with nobody out. The Rafters intentionally walked Laz Rivera (Miami) to load the bases. After getting Conor Panas (Canisius College) to pop out, Nolan Blackwood (Memphis) was brought in to deal with David Richards IV (Savannah State). Blackwood would walk Richards IV allowing the Bombers to walk off with a double header split.
Wisconsin Rapids travels to Green Bay to take on the Bullfrogs in the two teams first matchup of the season. First pitch is at 3:05 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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