(Pictured: Michael Jurgella)

3 game win streak on the line in final game of road trip

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.- The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (19-30, 7-7) take on the Kenosha Kingfish (25-24, 9-8) tonight at 7:05pm at Historic Simmons Field in Kenosha in the final game of an extended road trip. The Rafters are currently 3-3 on the trip and are looking to make it a winning one before they return to Witter Field tomorrow.

Making his first start of the season for the Rafters is Justin Schander (Phoenix College, 0-1). Working solely out the bullpen to this point, Schander has thrown very well for the Rafters giving up only one earned run in 11 innings. In his last appearance, he threw 4.2 innings of sterling relief against the Madison Mallards and surrendered only two hits while striking out one.

The Rafters’ offense has gotten back to their hitting ways in the last two games following a tough defeat in the series opener against Lakeshore on July 15th. In game two against the Chinooks and last night’s game against the Kingfish the Rafters combined for 21 hits and 16 runs. Leading the offensive charge has been Keelin Rasch (Lousiana Monroe) and Michael Jurgella (St. Cloud State), both of whom have been tearing the cover off the ball. Each player drilled a home run in last nights game against Kenosha, and over the past week are hitting .385 and .471 respectively

The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters will return home to Witter Field on Saturday, July 19th for a 6:05pm first pitch against the Wisconsin Woodchucks with gates opening at 5:05pm. The Marshfield Clinic Family Bike Ride with the Rafters will take place at 9:00am. The event will feature a 4-mile ride with Rafters players and members of the front office. All pre-registered riders will receive a Rosco Bike Riding Bobblehead for participating.

###

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.