Wisconsin Rapids finished the first half in sixth place in the Northwoods League South Division

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – The Rafters have a fresh start heading into the second half of the Northwoods League season. Wisconsin Rapids finished the first half at 15-17, which was good for sixth place in the nine team division. The Rafters have a tough start to the latter portion of the year, opening with the Kenosha Kingfish, who won the South Division crown for the first half.

The Kingfish have gotten the better of the Rafters through four games this season. Wisconsin Rapids dropped a pair of games in Kenosha on June 5-6 and then lost two games against the Kingfish at Witter Field on June 17-18.

Wisconsin Rapids will send Brian Russell, one of their most consistent pitchers from the first half, to the mound on Wednesday night. Russell, from the College of Staten Island, has made five starts this summer for the Rafters, compiling a 1-0 record with a 3.25 ERA. Over his last two starts, the Staten Island, N.Y. native has thrown 13 innings, surrendering just two runs on seven hits.  

The drumming group Bucket Ruckus will be on hand to dazzle fans during and after the game presented by Bull’s Eye Credit Union. As it is on every Wednesday home game throughout the season, it is a Point Brewery Double Your Fun Wednesday. With the purchase of two cans of the Point Brewery “Beer of the Game” from one of the Rafters vendors, fans will receive two free bags of peanuts. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m., with gates opening at 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 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.