Rafters Strand 12 Baserunners.

Wausau, Wis.-The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (12-24, 0-1) missed several opportunities to take their fist game of the second half as they lost a 4-3 game to the Wisconsin Woodchucks (19-16, 1-0). The Rafters ended up leaving twelve runners on base, including two separate innings where the bases where left loaded.

Woodchucks’ starter Connor McFadden (Southern Illinois) was not effective as he walked six in his four innings of work. However, the Rafters could never pick up a big base hit despite the numerous threats put together. The two runs scored off of McFadden where a brought in via a wild pitch and a walk issued to Zach Domingues (Long Beach State) with the bases loaded.

The Rafters’ best chance came right away in the top of the 1^st when they loaded the bases with nobody out. Keelin Rasch (Louisiana Monroe) and Cullen Gassaway (Arkansas) would follow with back- to- back infield fly rule popouts before Michael Hurwitz (Illinois) ended the threat by striking out looking.

McFadden’s opposite number, Domenic Mazza (UC Santa Barbara), was electric in his 6 innings of work. Mazza would escape a couple of jams en route to allowing one earned run while striking out nine.

The Woodchucks would be within two when they went to bat in the bottom of the 8^th. Jake Jeffries (Cal State Fullerton) would hit a solo, one out home run to start the rally and the Woodchucks would not stop there. Wisconsin ended up taking a 4-3 lead into the top of the 9^th where closer Max Ising had no troubles in a 1-2-3 inning.

Wisconsin Rapids comes home for 8 consecutive games beginning tomorrow with game two of this home and home series. Tomorrow brings fireworks presented by Marshfield Clinic with first pitch at 7:05 pm.

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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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