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Eight Run 7th Does In Rafters.
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.- The first half of the Northwoods League ended in dubious fashion for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (12-23) as they suffered a 12-4 defeat at the hands of the Eau Claire Express (15-18).
Zach Jackson (Arkansas) started the game for the Rafters and was rolling from the start. Jackson retired the first seven batters he faced but then had issues with his control. He would walk the seven and eight hitters before giving up a sacrifice fly in the top of the 3rd. Accuracy problems would plague Jackson again in the 4th when he walked Peter Van Gansen (Cal Poly) with the bases loaded to put the Express up 2-0.
The Rafters would storm back in the bottom of the 5th with four runs as they took advantage of some sloppy Eau Claire defense. William Elliott (Alabama) picked up an RBI single but was able to advance to third after a throwing error was committed while trying to throw out Kirby McGuire (New Mexico) at the plate.
After Jackson left after his 6 innings of work, the Express went to work taking advantage of a tired Rafters bullpen. An eight run top of the 7th put enough distance between the two teams as Eau Claire was able to cruise to victory on the final day of the first half.
Wisconsin Rapids will have the day off on Tuesday before taking on their regional rivals from Wausau, the Wisconsin Woodchucks, this upcoming Wednesday. That will preface an eight game home stand at historic Witter Field from the 3rd to the 10th.
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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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