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Rafters Score 12 Runs On 16 Hits
Thunder Bay, Ont.-The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters’ (23-41, 11-18) bats exploded in a 12-5 victory over the Thunder Bay Border Cats (21-42, 7-21). Wisconsin Rapids banged out 16 hits in the win that capped off a busy stretch in the Rafters’ schedule.
Both teams traded runs in the opening frame before the Rafters put the hammer down the next three innings. Wisconsin Rapids scored four runs in the top of the 2nd and the top of the 4th sandwiched around a one run top of the 3rd. The Rafters received production up and down their lineup but the table was set all night long by lead- off man Zack Domingues (Long Beach State). The All-Star shortstop went 3-3 as he reached base all six times he went came to the plate. Batting 8th, Thursday night’s starting pitcher Nick Blackburn (Illinois) was press into DH duty and went 2-4 with a walk and three runs scored.
On the mound Wisconsin Rapids received a gutty effort from their starting pitcher Jake Cage (Azusa Pacific). With a beleaguered bullpen behind him, Cage went 8 innings despite starting to tire late in his outing. Cage struck out three as he let his defense to the work for him and was aided by two double plays turned behind him.
After playing parts of five games in two days in two countries the previous two nights, the Rafters cruised to the win and series split as they headed home for their final eight games of the 2014 season. The Green Bay Bullfrogs come to town for a split home and home two game series. First pitch Saturday is set for 6:05.
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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.
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