Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – It’s opening week in Wisconsin in the Northwoods League presented by Edvest and the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters were back in action, After opening the season with a split against the Green Bay Bullfrogs (1-2), the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (2-1) looked to add another win to the column as they took on the upstate rivals Wisconsin Woodchucks (1-2). Last night’s Rafters’ home opener featured a walk-off homerun in the bottom of the tenth inning by Jake Lumley. Tonight’s game was not that dramatic, but the result the same for Wisconsin Rapids as they cruised to a 13-3 victory on 13 hits and a help from the Woodchucks as they committed 6 errors.

It is starting to look like Jake Lumley has made himself right at home in Wisconsin Rapids as he stayed hot to start the game off with a single in his 4 for 5 night with 2 RBIs at the plate that boosted his batting average to a scorching .667.  

Lumley was not the only Rafter to bring his bat to the game, as 5 runs were pushed across the plate in the first inning alone. Those 5 runs were more than the Rats have mustered in their first two games combined. Dustin Woodcock got the scoring going with a one out RBI single. That RBI was the first of his two on the night. That first run was followed by a 2-RBI triple from Patrick Cromwell. Cromwell also added on a third RBI later in the game. Logan Mattix hit his first long ball of the year soon after Cromwell’s hit. The homerun from Mattix scored 2 on the moonshot and concluded the barrage of Rafter runs for the time being.

One inning of runs was not enough for the Rats as they tacked on two more runs in the second and third inning each. Kevin Bolder struggled in his short 3 innings of work on the mound allowing 8 hits on 9 runs, with 5 of those runs earned. 

Drew McLaughlin, Trent McMaster, and Scott Kapers added RBI’s in the rout as well. Hitting was not the only thing that fell in the Rafters favor after a rough defense night for the Woodchucks did not help their cause. Rafters’ starting pitcher Chris Cooper was rock solid on the bump as well.

Cooper pitched strong 5 innings while allowing just 2 hits and striking out 4 with no runs earned. Kyle Ostrowski gave up 2 of the 3 runs to the Woodchucks in his 2 innings of work. 2 of the 3 Wisconsin runs came via bases loaded walks, while the other came from a bases loaded hit-by-pitch. Mac Caples, Steve Passatempo, and Connor Heady were responsible for the Woodchucks 3 runs. 

The Rafters will continue the two-game series with the Woodchucks tomorrow as they will hit the road and travel to Athletic Park for a 7:05 PM start time.

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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 23rd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2016, 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, 150 former 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 (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com.For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.

Edvest is Wisconsin’s 529 College Savings Plan designed to help families save for higher education expenses. It takes just $25 to start an Edvest college savings plan, and account owners can choose from more than 22 investment portfolios while enjoying one of the lowest cost 529 plans in the U.S. along with in-state tax advantages for Wisconsin residents. SavingforCollege.com recently ranked Edvest as one of the Top 15 in 529 Performance, the ninth Lowest Cost 529 plans, as well as awarded the program a 5-Cap Rating, which indicates that a 529 plan offers outstanding flexibility, attractive investments and additional economic benefits. Find out more at www.edvest.com.