Head To Madison For Two Game Series Against Division Leaders

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.- With the opening week of the season behind them, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (2-3) are looking to get back on track after two tough losses at the hands of the Madison Mallards (6-0). After a one run defeat last night, the Rafters head to Madison for the two more games against the South Division leaders.

Jack Riley (UConn) will take the mound for the Rafters in his first start of the season. Riley returns for his second stint with Wisconsin Rapids after an all-star season in 2015. He ended last season with a 5-1 record, 3.21 ERA, and 38 strikeouts. With those five wins last year, Riley finished with the second-highest single season win total. He will certainly have a lot on his plate as the Mallards’ potent offense leads the Northwoods League in runs through the first week of games.

Countering for the Mallards will be Justin Watts (Northern Kentucky) who already has one win under his belt in the 2016 campaign. In his first start, he went 6 innings with 11 strikeouts. He also sports just a 1.50 ERA. Watts will also have a tough task trying to silence the Rafter bats that hit two home runs in yesterday’s game as part of their 10 hits overall.

First pitch for tonight’s contest is set for 6:35 PM at Warner Park in Madison. Today’s game is the third of four game series.

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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, more than 150 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.raftersbaseball.com.