Belzer and company look to slow streaking Chinooks
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – Following a day-night double header at home on Monday, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (39-20, 15-8) return to the road for the beginning of a four-game series with the the streaking Lakeshore Chinooks (27-33, 12-12). The Rafters, who swept the Chinooks at Witter Field at the end of last week, enter play with a 5-1 record against Lakeshore this season and look to snap the Chinooks’ four-game winning streak.
Taking the mound for the Rafters in their series opener will be right-hander Nick Belzer (Des Moines Area College), who is still in search of his first decision of the season. A native of Iowa, Belzer boasts a 3.73 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 21 2/3 innings of work, having pitched eight times and started twice. Tuesday’s outing will mark Belzer’s third starting nod, as he looks to parlay his bullpen success into his relatively new role as a starter. In his two starting calls, Belzer has pitched nine innings and allowed seven runs (all earned) on 12 hits and five walks, striking out 11 batters. Belzer’s numbers as a starter present a clear deviation from his relief work in which he has allowed just two earned runs in 12 1/3 innings of labor, amounting to a 1.46 earned run average. The right-hander’s most recent start was the more successful of his two outings, as he worked a season-high five innings and allowed three runs (all earned) on six hits and a season-high three walks, while matching his highest strikeout total of the year with six. Belzer will be tasked with attempting to quiet a Chinook lineup that has averaged just under seven runs per game during its four-game winning streak.
Left-hander Tyler Jandron will counter Belzer for Lakeshore, as the Michigan native is expected to make his seventh appearance and sixth start of the campaign. Jandron, a product of UW-Parkside, has posted a record of 2-1 and maintained a 1.73 ERA in 36 1/3 innings, walking 12 and striking out 27. A sophomore, Jandron dominated the Madison Mallards on the road in his most recent outing, turning in his best performance of the summer in front of the Warner Park crowd. Jandron earned the victory by working eight scoreless innings and allowing just four hits and one walk, while matching his season-high with six strikeouts. On the year, Jandron has demonstrated a consistent ability to pitch deep into games, working at least seven innings three times and eight innings on a pair of occasions.
First pitch at Kapco Park is slated for 6:35 PM with coverage beginning on WFHR 1320 AM at 6:20 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.
