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Sets Record, Wins League Player Of Night
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.-A day after playing in the Big League Dreams Showcase game, Keelin Rasch (Louisiana Monroe) showed why he was named as one of the top players in the Northwoods League. Rasch’s seven RBIs led the way for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (24-44, 12-21) who beat the Battle Creek Bombers (31-37, 17-18) by a score of 12-5.
The Bombers jumped ahead early with a run in the top of the 1st but the Rafters would not rest on their laurels for long. It took two innings for the Rafters’ bats to get going, but they exploded in a big way starting with Rasch’s grand slam with one out in the bottom of the 3rd. Wisconsin Rapids would continue to stockpile runs as they scored at least one run in the final six innings in which they batted.
That would be enough support for the ace of the Rafters, Domenic Mazza (UC Santa Barbara), in his last appearance of the season. Mazza did not have his usual pin- point control as he walked three batters, but the southpaw was still able to strike out six in six innings while allowing 4 runs (2 earned).
History was made when Rasch smacked a double out to right field to drive in another run. With the two- bagger, Rasch broke the Rafters’ single season mark for most doubles in a season. He would tack on another double to his tally in the 7th en route to a 3-5 day with seven RBIs and a NWL player of the night honor on his mantle.
Every Rafter except for two recorded at least one hit as Wisconsin Rapids hit two home runs on the night and banged out 14 hits. The Rafters will need to keep the bats rolling as the Lakeshore Chinooks will come to town for a two game series beginning Thursday night at 7:05 pm. It is Paul Gross Jewelers Ladies Diamond Dig so be sure to head out to the ballpark to see the Rafters in their remaining three home games. The first 300 ladies 18 and older will receive an ice cream scoop upon entrance and have an opportunity to dig for a ½ carat diamond pendant buried in the infield dirt following the game.
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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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