The Rafters scored four runs in the ninth, but fall 13-8

Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin – The Rafters dropped their final game of the year against the Lakeshore Chinooks, 13-8. Wisconsin Rapids made a valiant comeback effort as they brought nine batters to the plate and rallied for four runs, but came up short. The Chinooks continued to swing the big sticks at Witter Field, hitting four home runs in the game to total five for a two-game total. Zac Lowther (Xavier) picked up the win for Lakeshore, Jay Peters (UW-Milwaukee) took the loss for the Rafters.

The Chinooks offense scored in each of the first four innings, including a four-run explosion in the fourth inning to put Lakeshore up 10-3.

Greg Deichmann (LSU) hit two big flies for the Chinooks, picking up three RBI. Lakeshore designated hitter Lucas Raley (Lake Erie College) went 3-for-3, reaching base in all five of his at-bats, finishing a triple short of the cycle and hit his Northwoods League-leading 14th home run. Raley also added five RBI to bring his league-leading total to 53. Anthony Massicci (Canisius) led the Chinooks with four runs scored, hit a home run of his own and finished with two RBI.

The Rafters were led at the dish by 2015 Northwoods League All-Star Brock Carpenter (Seattle), who finished the game 2-for-5 with four RBI. Ernie Clement (Virginia) and Zack Domingues (Long Beach State) also picked up two hits and an RBI each, with Clement adding four runs scored.

The Rafters will head to Battle Creek, Michigan for their final two-game road set of the season on August 1-2. Wisconsin Rapids returns to Witter Field on Monday, August 3 for a triple-header against the Wisconsin Woodchucks. The night will include finishing a postponed game from May 27 that will begin with two outs in the top of the fifth inning and the Rafters trailing 5-1. Following the conclusion of that game, the two teams will play a pair of seven-inning affairs. The initial game begins at 4:05 p.m., with gates opening at 3:05.

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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.