Wisconsin Rapids has split its last two series, while the Kingfish are 9-1 in their last 10 games

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – The Rafters are set to play their biggest series of the year when they host the Kenosha Kingfish on June 17-18. With the Northwoods League nearing its halfway point, the games against the South Division-leading Kingfish are crucial as the Rafters trail by five games but could make up a lot of ground with a couple wins.

Wisconsin Rapids traveled to Kenosha for a pair of games on June 5-6, dropping both. In the first game, the Rafters took a 4-1 lead into the seventh, but surrendered four runs in the final three innings to fall 5-4. The Kingfish took the second game on June 6, 7-1.

Starting on the mound for the Rafters will be Morehead State pitcher Craig Pearcy. The right-hander will be making his fourth appearance this summer for the Rafters, but tonight will be his first start. Pearcy has thrown 5.2 scoreless innings for Wisconsin Rapids, picking up a win and a save in process. He’s allowed just two hits while striking out three.

Prior to the game tonight, the Rafters and Witter Field will host the South Wood County Hunger Coalition’s third annual United We Can “Strike Out Hunger” sculpture contest. Twelve teams will be building sculptures out of food and other basic needs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. underneath the grandstand. The sculptures will be on display during the game and fans can vote on their favorite. Fans who bring in a nonperishable food item to the game will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a basket  of Rafters and United Way items. All food donations will be distributed to Rapids Family Backpacks, the Family Center, Christian Life Fellowship, the Neighborhood Table and the South Wood Emergency Pantry Shelf.

Tonight is also Point Brewery Double Your Fun Wednesday. With a purchase of two cans of Point Brewery’s “Beer of the Game” from one of the Rafter’s vendors, fans will receive two free bags of peanuts.

Gates open tonight at 6:05 p.m. with the first pitch coming at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online or by calling the Rafters’ ticket office at 715-424-5400.

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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 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, 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 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website.  For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.