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Defensive Miscues Haunt Rafters
Kenosha, Wis.-The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (20-34, 8-11) and Kenosha Kingfish (30-24, 14-8) played one last close game as the Kingfish outlasted the Rafters by a score of 5-3. Friday’s game continued the trend of games being played within a two run window between the two clubs.
Wisconsin Rapids would produce the game’s first three runs with Shawn Hagarty (Lindenwood) getting a RBI double in the 2nd and Kirby McGuire (New Mexico) collecting an RBI on a single in the top of the 4th. McGuire also put together a clever piece of base running to get in a run down and allow another run to score.
The game would be sloppily played by both teams the rest of the way as defensive miscues were the jump starter on Kenosha’s big 5th inning. Back to back errors by the left side of the Rafters’ infield put the first two base runners aboard for the Kingfish who would end up sending ten batters to the plate in a five run bottom of the fifth that featured three Rafters errors overall.
The big inning put a black eye on what would have been another strong start from Jake Cage (Azusa Pacific). Cage gave up the five runs but only three of them were earned. Wisconsin Rapids’ bullpen would hold down Kenosha the rest of the way to keep the Rafters in it.
However, the bullpen for Kenosha was equal to the task as they held Wisconsin Rapids’ offense dormant the rest of the game to ensure the Kingfish’s 30th win. The two teams have now finished up their season series and the Rafters will head home to take on the first place Lakeshore Chinooks. First pitch Saturday is set for 6:05 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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