Saturday offers chance to break franchise wins record

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (33-17, 9-5) have taken to the road for the opening of a two-game series against the Thunder Bay Border Cats (11-37, 5-9). Having swept an earlier tilt with the Border Cats, the Rafters seek to break their franchise record for wins in a single season (33) on Saturday night.

Taking the ball for the Rafters will be southpaw Jake Repavich (Grand Canyon) who will attempt to lift the Rafters to a franchise-best 34th win. A native of Arizona, Repavich is in line to make his seventh overall appearance and his sixth start of the summer, entering play with a 1-2 record and a 1.92 ERA. Repavich, a ground ball pitcher philosophically, has struck out only 11 batters compared to 11 walks issued in 32 2/3 innings of work. While Repavich has been masterful at keeping earned runs off the scoreboard, the left-hander has endured a frustrating trend of defensive lapses behind him, amounting to 11 unearned runs. In his most recent performance, Repavich turned in an excellent outing just before the All-Star break against the Wisconsin Woodchucks. In front of a packed house at Athletic Park, Repavich pitched his way to a victory by firing six innings and allowing just two runs on 10 hits and one walk while matching his season-high with three punch outs.

Repavich will be met by Gunnar Kay of the Border Cats, who is in line for his eighth start of the campaign. Kay, a product of Jefferson College, faced the Rafters early in the month of June at Witter Field, taking the loss in a 5-0 Rafter win. In the outing, Kay pitched well but received minimal support, completing six innings and allowing just three earned runs on six base hits. Through 42 innings on the mound this summer, Kay has maintained a 5.14 ERA and has notched 30 strikeouts compared to 18 walks. Kay last pitched in a shutout loss to the Willmar Stingers on July 14, surrendering four earned funs on nine hits and taking the loss. 

First pitch at Port Arthur Stadium is scheduled for 5:05 PM CT with radio coverage beginning at 4:50 PM on WFHR 1320 AM.

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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.