Jake Cage Picks Up Win In 8-2 Game

Box Score

Mequon, Wis.- A night after history took place at Kapco Park, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (18-30, 6-7) took out some offensive frustrations on the Lakeshore Chinooks (34-13, 10-3) to the tune of a 8-2 drubbing. The Rafters took the last contest of the year between the two teams at Kapco Park, Wisconsin Rapids had lost the previous three matchups by narrow margins.

The Rafters would receive another solid performance from a starting pitcher as Jake Cage (Azusa Pacific) delivered his second consecutive strong start in Rafters’ cranberry red. Cage went 6 innings while giving up only four hits and two earned runs. Unlike the prior night, the Rafters’ starter would get more than enough run support as the Rafters jumped out ahead in the 3^rd on a Clark Eagan (Arkansas) RBI double.

Eagan would start off what would end up being the deciding inning. In the top of the 5^th, Eagan hit his second double of the day and would spark a monster Rafters rally where they scored seven runs on three hits. The key base hit would come off of the bat of Kirby McGuire (New Mexico) who, with the bases loaded, hit a bases clearing double that would provide Wisconsin Rapids all the support they would need.

Two Lakeshore errors also contributed in the top of the 5^th which was a role reversal from the night before. After three Rafters’ errors cost Domenic Mazza a loss despite throwing a no- hitter on Tuesday, the Rafters sparkled in the field on Wednesday. McGuire made a fine running catch in center field to end the 1^st and doubled up a runner who had strayed too far off of first base in the 4^th. Several other Rafters’ defenders made key plays in a strong all around effort.

Wisconsin Rapids’ bullpen shut down the final three innings and the Rafters escaped Kapco Park with a split of the series. The Rafters head to Kenosha Thursday for their first ever trip to Simmons Field. Game time is 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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