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Rafters Drop Tight Game
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.- It was a back and forth affair between the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (12-26, 0-3) and the Kenosha Kingfish (18-16, 3-0) as the Kingfish pulled out a tight 4-3 victory. Kenosha continued their mastery of the Rafters as Kenosha has now won all three matchups between the two teams this year.
The Rafters would take an early lead in the bottom of the 2nd. After Kenosha had pulled ahead in the top half of the inning, Wisconsin Rapids knotted things up when Kirby McGuire (New Mexico) drew a walk with the bases loaded off of Kenosha starter Rex Morrow (Madison College). The next man up, Zach Domingues (Long Beach State), laced a sacrifice fly to deep right field to put the Rafters up one.
Wisconsin Rapids would have to rally once again in the 6th after two runs in the top of the 4th put the Kingfish up 3-2. Once again it would be Domingues smacking a sacrifice fly to right that tied up the game. However, Kenosha would come right back in the top of the 7th. After Chris Godinez (Bradley) reached on a one out single, he was able to advance all the way to third on a throwing error by pitcher Justin Schander (Phoenix College). That allowed Northwoods League RBI leader Pat Porter (Ohio State) to bat with a runner at third and less than two outs. Porter hit a hard grounder right at the pulled in Michael Hurwitz (Illinois) who fumbled with the ball and had no play on Godinez coming home.
That would end up being the deciding run in a game where the Rafters had numerous opportunities offensively. Wisconsin Rapids stranded thirteen runners on base Friday. The two teams will lock horns again tomorrow with first pitch set for 6:05 pm. It will be Outdoorsman Night at the ballpark sponsored by Element Mobile, with special guest John Godwin from A&E’s Duck Dynasty on had to sign autographs.
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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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