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Five-run first inning helps Rafters earn split
Thunder Bay, Ont. – On the final day of their brief two-game trip to Canada, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (34-18) rode an explosive first inning and quality pitching to their franchise-record thirty-fourth win of the year, knocking off the Thunder Bay Border Cats (12-28) by a final score of 5-1.
Following a quiet offensive performance on Saturday night, the Rafters released their suppressed frustration in the top of the first inning on Sunday. After a base hit and a stolen base, Demetrius Sims (Bethune-Cookman) advanced to third on a ground ball by Jake Lumley (Canisius). Four pitches later, Sims would score the first run of the evening on a passed ball. A walk by Patrick Cromwell (Clemson) and a single by Ben Fisher (Eastern Kentucky) would set the table for Rob Calabrese (Illinois-Chicago) to single home the Rafters’ second run. The Rafters would score their final three runs of the inning on a two-run double by Doak Dozier (Virginia) and a run-scoring wild pitch. After the top of the first, the Rafters claimed a 5-0 lead, which was more than enough support for starter Jay Peters (UW-Milwaukee).
Peters, a right-hander, turned in his most dominant performance of the season, making only a single mistake on a home run from Anthony Brocato to lead off the bottom of the second inning. In route to earning his second win of the season, Peters worked six innings and allowed just a single run on two hits and two walks, while striking out three batters. The Rafter bullpen would finish out the evening with three scoreless innings and five strikeouts combined between John Jaeger (Sterling College) and Blair Lakso (Buffalo).
The Rafters have an off day on Monday and will return to action Tuesday night at Witter Field for a 7:05 PM first pitch against the Battle Creek Bombers.
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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.