Rapids looking to avoid first three-game skid of season

Kenosha, Wis. – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (27-14, 3-2) return to action Monday night in Kenosha looking to recover from back-to-back losses. After three consecutive victories to begin the second half, the Rafters have fallen in consecutive low-scoring affairs, putting them in danger of losing three straight ballgames for the first time this season.

Taking the mound for the Rafters will be left-hander Gareth Stroh (Coffeyville CC), who is in line to start for the seventh time this season. In his previous six outings, Stroh has worked a total of 31 1/3 innings and has struck out 25 batters, while walking seven in the process of compiling a 2-2 record and posting a 4.30 ERA. Stroh, who began the season on a torrid pace, took the loss in his most recent outing against the Battle Creek Bombers on the Fourth of July. The start spanned 5 1/3 innings and ended with Stroh surrendering four earned runs on eight hits and a walk, while striking out one. After striking out 19 batters in his first three starts, Stroh has punched out just six hitters in his last three outings.

The Kenosha Kingfish will offer left-hander Grant Spranger as a counter to Stroh. The start will be Spranger’s second of the season and his second overall appearance. In his only other outing to date, Spranger faced the Rafters at Witter Field and worked 3 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and three walks, while striking out three. The Rafters proceeded to win the game 6-5 thanks to a five-run eighth inning capped by a pinch-hit, three-run home run from Dustin Woodcock (SIU-Edwardsville).

First pitch at Simmons Field is slated for 7:05 PM with coverage beginning on WFHR 1320 AM at 6:50 PM.

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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.