Wisconsin Rapids falls 3-0 to Madison at Witter Field

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – The Rafters dropped a tight game on Wednesday night, falling 3-0 to the Madison Mallards at Witter Field. It appeared the game would be a pitchers’ duel as both teams were held scoreless through the first five innings, but with one swing of the bat the Mallards took a 2-0 lead in the sixth on a two-run homer to deep left. Madison added an insurance run in the seventh and the Rafters couldn’t string anything together as they fell, 3-0.

Jake Johansmeier (Eastern Illinois) took the loss for Wisconsin Rapids, but pitched well in his first start of the season. The righty went 6.1 innings, allowing three runs while scattering 11 hits. Dalton DSpain took the win for Madison and Mike Kaelin picked up the save. Wisconsin Rapids moved to 13-14 with the loss, Madison improved to 18-12.

The Rafters looked poised to take an early lead in the game, loading the bases in the first inning. The Mallards pitching, however, had other plans as they held Wisconsin Rapids to just three hits. Bryce Jordan (LSU) was 1-for-4 on the day, picking up his first hit as a Rafter, while Sam Tolleson (Central Florida) and Mitch McGeein (Eastern Michigan) had the other two hits for Wisconsin Rapids.

The Rafters are back in action on Thursday night at Witter Field when Wisconsin Rapids welcomes the La Crosse Loggers for the first game of a home-and-home series. First pitch will be at 7:05 p.m. and gates open at 6:05 p.m. Duncan Disability Law S.C. sponsor presents a salute to the 40th Anniversary of Saturday Night with a cowbell giveaway for fans in attendance. It’s also a Thirsty Thursday at Witter Field, featuring two-for-one domestic taps from the time the gates open through the fifth inning.  

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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.