(Pictured: Domenic Mazza)

Mazza Gets The Start Against The Kingfish

By Abby Aubart, Marketing Intern

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (20-32, 8-9) take on the Kenosha Kingfish (28-24, 12-8) at Historic Simmons Field tonight in Kenosha, Wis. The game is scheduled to start at 7:05 with the gates opening at 6:05. This will be the first game for both teams following the Northwoods League All-Star Break. On Tuesday Night the South division won the All-Star game by a score of 3-0 at Kapco Park, home of the Lakeshore Chinooks.

On the mound for the Rafters tonight will be left handed pitcher Domenic Mazza (UC Santa Barbara). In his last outing Mazza put on a show for the crowd throwing 8 hitless innings against the Lakeshore Chinooks. The southpaw has been a great addition to the Rafters starting rotation. Mazza has had four great starts generating a 0.69 ERA while only giving up two earned runs. Base runners of any kind have been tough to come by for opposing offenses as Mazza averages just over 3 walks and 2 hits per game respectively.

The Kingfish will be sending right handed pitcher Rico Garcia (Hawaii Pacific University) to the mound tonight. In his last appearance Garcia went four innings, giving up seven hits and four earned runs. Garcia is coming into the game tonight with a 2.45 ERA and has a 3-2 record with eight starts. Last time Garcia pitched against the Rafters was on May 27th, the home opener for Wisconsin Rapids, giving up only two hits and one walk in a win for the Kingfish.

The Rafters come into the game tonight 2-4 against the Kingfish on the season. Keelin Rasch (Louisiana Monroe) has been a hard out for the Kingfish pitching staff this year, coming into the game with a .550 AVG and four RBI’s against them. Rasch is looking to stay hot after the All-Star break and build off last game where he went 3 for 5 with two doubles and three RBIs. Another Rafter to keep your eye on tonight is Michael Jurgella (St. Cloud State). In his last five games Jurgella has gone 7 for 21 (.333 AVG), and produced 7 RBI’s. On the season he has a .375 AVG against Kenosha pitching.

The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters return home to Witter Field this coming Saturday July 26th, for McCain Foods Potato Night featuring French fry specials and post game fireworks. The game is scheduled for 6:05 and the gates will be opening at 5:05.

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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.