Playoff implications loom for both divisions as top-tier squads collide

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – On Wednesday afternoon, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (19-9) will take to the road for a double header with the Eau Claire Express (19-9) in an interdivisional series. The Rafters, who sit atop the South Division, enter their second cross-over series of the summer looking to add distance between themselves and the second-place Madison Mallards, who trail by one game.

The first of the two ballgames, a 1:05 p.m. first pitch, will pit right-hander Dylan File (Dixie State) against fellow right-hander Chase Beal of the Express. On the heels of his shortest outing of the year, File looks to find his footing against the Express in his fourth start of the summer. Entering Wednesday, File owns a 1-0 record and an ERA of 3.00 in 15 innings on the mound. While the Rafters have won all three games File has started, the Utah native’s most recent performance on the road against the Rockford Rivets was cut short after just one inning due to Northwoods League pitching rules. Thankfully for the Rafters, their bullpen stiffened to deliver 10 innings of invaluable work in the 11-inning victory over the Rivets.

Beal, who will counter File in the opening half of Wednesday’s twin bill, is scheduled to pitch for just the second time as a member of the Express, making his first start. The sizable right-hander from Yavapai Junior College endured a troublesome outing in his Carson Park debut, surrendering four earned runs in just 1 1/3 innings in which he allowed two walks and three hits without a strikeout. Originally from Arizona, Beal began his collegiate career at the University of New Mexico before moving to the junior college ranks.

After a brief break between ballgames, the clubs will resume the day’s action at 7:05 p.m. with Damien Richard (Xavier) toeing the rubber for the Rafters against Michael Gomez of the Express. Richard is expected to make his first start of the season after appearing four times previously out of the bullpen. In 10 innings to date, Richard has posted a 3.60 ERA and 12 strikeouts compared to four walks, and still seeks his first decision. Richard has not thrown more than 3 1/3 innings in a single outing this summer, but will look to offer the Rafter bullpen some relief in the back end of Wednesday’s twin bill.

Gomez, who will take the ball for the Express in game two, is in line for his second start and in search of his first decision. In Gomez’s only action of the season, the right-hander tossed four innings of shutout work against the Thunder Bay Bordercats on June 23, allowing two hits and five walks, striking out three.

After the Rafters’ narrow 7-6 victory over the Wisconsin Woodchucks on Tuesday night, the Rats are now 17-1 when scoring four runs or more. Additionally, both teams enter Wednesday’s double dip in the midst of a hot streak, with each party having won eight of their last nine games.

Both games will be broadcast live on WFHR 1320 AM, with pre-game coverage beginning 15 minutes before first pitch. Game one will begin at 1:05 p.m. with the broadcast opening at 12:50 p.m., and game two is slated to commence at 7:05 p.m. with coverage starting at 6:50 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.