The Rafters return home riding a nine-game home winning streak

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – After an extended road trip that spanned five games and three separate stops, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (28-15, 4-3) return to Witter Field on Wednesday night to conclude their season series with the Green Bay Bullfrogs (18-25, 3-4). The Rafters, who fell to the Bullfrogs in a 12-4 route on Tuesday night, own a 4-3 advantage over the ‘Frogs to this point in the season series and are looking to clinch a winning record against Green Bay for just the second time in series history. Additionally, the Rafters return to the friendly atmosphere of Witter Field, where they are 14-5 on the season and have won a club-record nine consecutive games.

Toeing the rubber for the Rafters will be right-hander Chris Cooper (Texas A&M Corpus Christi), who is in line to start for the seventh time this summer. Cooper, the Northwoods League’s leader in ERA, enters the evening with an unblemished 4-0 record and a 0.75 ERA. A native of Montgomery, Texas, Cooper will make his first start since watching his franchise-record scoreless innings streak of 24 1/3 come to an end against the Kenosha Kingfish. Additionally, Wednesday offers Cooper his first game action since being named a 2016 Northwoods League All-Star at the end of last week. In his most recent outing, Cooper pitched five innings, his lowest total since his first start on June 2, and allowed two runs (both earned) on three hits and two walks, while striking out three.

The Bullfrogs will counter Cooper by offering left-hander Stuart Springer, a product of St. Edwards. Springer is expected to appear for the eighth time this season, making his fifth start. To this point, Edwards has endured mixed results that have cumulatively resulted in an 0-1 record and a 5.26 ERA. In 27 1/3 innings on the mound, the southpaw has allowed 38 base hits, struck out 15, and walked eight. Most recently, Springer lasted 2 1/3 out of the bullpen against the Lakeshore Chinooks on July 10, allowing just two hits and no runs, while striking out a pair.

The Rafters enter play having won nine straight games at Witter Field, the longest home winning streak in the Northwoods League this season. Additionally, infielder Jake Lumley (Canisius) will look to extend his 27-game on-base streak, the longest in the Northwoods League this season. The streak is the second-longest in Rafters history, trailing only Jackson Slaid’s 39-game streak from 2013. Lumley has reached base in 40 of the 41 games that he has played in this summer for the Rafters.

First pitch at Witter Field is slated for 7:05 PM with gates opening to the general public at 6:05 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.