Five wins in last six games lead Rafters into meeting with Rivets

Rockford, IL – On the heels of a brief two-game home stand, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (13-8) take to the road Thursday for the first part of a six-game road trip, as they meet the Rockford Rivets (11-10) for the front half of a two-game set.

The visit to Rivets Stadium represents the Rafters’ first trip to Rockford to face the Rivets, an expansion franchise in their first year of operation. Earlier in the month, the Rivets, at the time riding a four-game winning streak, traveled to Witter Field to face the Rafters for their first-ever encounter. In two match ups, Rockford utilized masterful pitching to limit the Rafters to a total of two runs in the series. Entering Thursday’s game, the roles have been reversed, as the Rafters, winners of five out of six, will be hosted by the Rivets, who are just 3-4 since their sweep of the Rafters. 

Seeking a follow-up to Wednesday night’s thrilling come-from-behind victory over the Lakeshore Chinooks, the Rafters will hand the ball to right-hander Chris Cooper (Texas A&M Corpus Christi) for his first start away from Witter Field this summer. Cooper, who has allowed just one earned run in three outings, owns an unblemished 3-0 record and a 0.50 ERA that ranks second in the Northwoods League. While Cooper has been dominant to this point in the season, he has also been the beneficiary of tremendous run support from the Rafter lineup. In his first three turns on the mound, Cooper has enjoyed the backing of at least 10 runs on each occasion, amounting to a total of 38 runs in the trio of victories.

Countering Cooper will be Rivet right-hander Ethan Howard, who is in line for his fourth start of the summer. In four total appearances, including three starts, Howard has posted a 4.29 ERA, but still seeks his first decision. Pitching, once indisputably Rockford’s strong suit, has become somewhat more difficult for the Rivets in recent games, having surrendered at least six runs in each of their previous three ballgames entering Thursday. The second-place Rafters will look to capitalize on Rockford’s recent scuffles to pick up ground in the South Division race.

First pitch from Rivets Stadium is slated for 6:35 p.m. and will be broadcast live on WFHR 1320AM beginning at 6:20 p.m.

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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, 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 portal. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store and set the Rafters as your favorite team.