Offenses Explode for 28 Combined Runs

Box Score

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.-There were fireworks after the game but the offenses of the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (20-35, 8-12) and the Lakeshore Chinooks (42-13, 18-3) put on a show in a 17-11 game. The two teams combined to burn through ten pitchers as neither staff could find the answer in a game that lasted four hours due to the outpouring of offense.

The Rafters were playing from behind right from the get- go after Lakeshore jumped ahead 1-0 in the top of the 1^st. However, the Rafters would battle back as Clark Eagan (Arkansas) sent out a sacrifice fly to knot the game up. The Chinooks would put their stamp on the game though in the very next half inning. Lakeshore would send twelve batters to the plate in a six run top of the 2^nd that resulted in Rafters’ starter Nick Blackburn (Illinois) leaving the game after 1.1 innings pitched.

Wisconsin Rapids would never say die though as they would score single runs in the 3^rd and 4^th keep things interesting. It would be the top of the 5^th that seemingly solidified the Chinooks victory as Connor McKay (Kansas) launched a solo home run to get the three run inning under way.

Both teams would go back and forth and both offenses racked up hits and runs but the deficit was too much for the Rafters to overcome as they fell despite scoring in seven of the nine innings they batted in. It was the second matchup between the two teams that was decided by a final margin greater than two and the eighth victory in a row for Lakeshore.

The two teams will lock horns tomorrow night and finish up the two game series with the first pitch scheduled for 5:05 pm.  It will be Luke A. Weiland Attorney At Law Team Poster Giveaway and Military Appreciation Night at the ballpark.  All fans will have an opportunity to purchase a piece of paper to write a note to a military veteran for $2 at the gate. All money collected will be put towards sending a local veteran on the Never Forgotten Honor Flight. Everyone who purchases a piece of paper will receive an American flag and will be asked to create a paper airplane that will be flown onto the field postgame.  The person whose plane flies closest to the target will have an opportunity to sponsor the veteran on the Never Forgotten Honor Flight.

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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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