Repavich takes the ball as Rafters look for third straight win 

Rockford, Ill. – Friday night marks the final chapter of a four-game road trip for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (41-21, 17-9) as they meet up with the Rockford Rivets (29-34, 12-15) for the clubs’ final regular-season match up. The Rafters coasted to an 11-2 win on Thursday night at Rivets stadium, picking up their second consecutive win against the Rivets and clinching a season-series split or better with the expansion franchise.

As they seek to sweep their season series at Rivets Stadium, the Rafters will send left-hander Jake Repavich (Grand Canyon) to the mound for his eighth start of the season, hoping to continue his strong season. Repavich, despite a 1-3 record, owns a 1.95 ERA and 20 strikeouts compared to just 13 walks in 46 innings of labor. Repavich has succumbed to unfortunate luck on a regular basis this summer, illustrated by the 13 unearned runs he has allowed and the lack of run support he has received. A native of Arizona, Repavich has received two runs of support or less in four of his seven starts to this point and has watched as the Rafters have gone just 2-5 in games he has started. In his most recent outing, Repavich dominated the Kenosha Kingfish for six scoreless innings before the Kingfish exploded for four runs in the seventh frame to saddle Repavich with the loss.

Countering Repavich will be fellow left-hander Cory Wright, who started in center field last night for the Rivets. Wright has spent time both out of the bullpen and in a starting capacity this season. entering play, the southpaw owns a 4-3 record and a 3.24 ERA, as he has pitched in 12 games, starting five times. Across 50 innings of work, he has struck out 23 batters and walked 19, while scattering 54 base hits. Wright has been involved in the decision in five consecutive starts, compiling a 2-3 record over his last 5 outings, a stretch in which he has posted a 3.19 ERA in 32 2/3 innings on the mound. In Wright’s most recent start, an 8-2 loss to the Willmar Stingers, he pitched 7 2/3 innings but absorbed the loss after surrendering a season-high seven earned runs on 14 hits and one walk, while striking out three batters.

First pitch at Rivets Stadium is set 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.