(Pictured: Keelin Rasch)

Malmin Looks To Get Rafters On Track

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (12-25) have not started the second half as they planned, but will look to turn it around this afternoon against the visiting Kenosha Kingfish (18-16). The Rafters are coming off of a 12-7 loss to the Wisconsin Woodchucks, a game which the Rafters had to use two position players as pitchers due to a shortage of arms in the bullpen. The Kingfish are fresh off of a 7-3 win over St. Cloud and are returning to Witter Field for the first time since the opening series of the season on May 27th and 28th.

Jon Malmin (Texas, 1-1) gets the start for the Rafters tonight as he comes off one of the most impressive outings by a Rafters pitcher this season. Malmin went eight innings only allowing two runs on six hits while striking out two. Malmin has had control issues at times this season as he walked five batters in his last game, but he has worked around the walks and on the season has an ERA of 1.82, good for fourth in the Northwoods League.

The Rafters offense will look to explode for some runs on Independence Day, as they try and build momentum after scoring three runs in the ninth inning in last night’s ballgame. The offensive star of last night’s game was Keelin Rasch (Louisiana Monroe) who had a three hit game last night as he went three for five with three doubles and drove in three runs as well. Tyler Servais (Princeton) also hit a two run home run last night, his first of the year in only his fourth game of the season with the Rafters. Servais seems to be getting more comfortable at the plate and should start producing some big numbers for the Rafters.

It is an afternoon game today at Witter Field with the first pitch set for 3:05pm, which means the gates will open at 2:05pm. Today at Witter Field it is Incourage Community Foundation Day. The first 250 fans that bring in a non-perishable food item, will receive two for one tickets.

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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.