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Wisconsin Rapids sets the single-game attendance record and ties the single-season wins record in the win
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin – The Rafters made history on Thursday night when they defeated the Thunder Bay Border Cats 2-1 in front of an all-time record 2,500 fans at Witter Field. Wisconsin Rapids also tied its team record for wins in a season as the Rafters picked up their 31st win of the season, matching the 2013 squad. Jay Peters (UW-Milwaukee) earned his fourth win of the year for the Rafters, while Zach Thiac took the loss for the Border Cats. James Davitt (Bryant) threw a scoreless ninth inning for his fifth save of the summer.
Wisconsin Rapids got on the board first as a Beau Jordan (LSU) single plated Sam Tolleson (Central Florida). Both teams were held scoreless until the bottom of the seventh when the Rafters scored what would be the game-winning run. Michael McCann (Seattle) came on to pinch hit and laid down a bunt on a squeeze play and an errant throw allowed Ernie Clement to score from third, giving the Rafters a 2-0 lead.
Thunder Bay had runners in scoring position all night, but managed just one run on the night. The Border Cats stranded runners on third base in the first, third and fourth innings, and left a runner on second in the fifth, sixth, seventh and ninth.
Peters returned to his typical summer of 2015 form on the night, bouncing back from a rough start against the Chinooks on July 31. The righty from Randolph, Wisconsin, threw six scoreless innings while striking out nine and walking just two. Clement, Tolleson and Jordan led the way at the plate for the Rafters, each picking up a pair of hits in four at-bats.
The Rafters will host the Border Cats again tomorrow night, Friday, August 7, with first pitch coming at 7:05 p.m. and gates opening at 6:05. It’s Circle of Life Night at Witter Field as the Rafters and several local businesses celebrate the various milestones in life. Over $3200 in prizes will be given away in on-field promotions. For a chance to be in an on-field promotion to win one of these great prizes, fans will sign up at each individual businesses table located under the Witter Field grandstand prior to or during 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 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 (KC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.