Rafters hope to hold down streaking ‘Fish

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – After completing a four-game road trip on Friday night, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (42-21, 18-9) return home on Saturday night to greet the Kenosha Kingfish (22-42, 6-22) for the opener of a six-game home stand. With a 4-2 record against the Kingfish entering play, the Rafters own an opportunity to clinch a winning record over Kenosha for the first time in series history. Entering play, the Kingfish are caught in the midst of a seven-game losing streak, which matches their longest skid of the season.

The Rafters will hand the ball to right-hander Jay Peters (UW-Milwaukee) for his tenth start of the season. Peters, who was the Rafters’ opening day starter, enters play with a 3-1 record and a 4.65 ERA in 48 1/3 innings on the mound, having struck out 38 and walked 17. Despite an inflated season ERA, Peters has dominated the opposition in his last two outings, surrendering just one earned run in 12 innings dating back to July 24. In his outstanding two-start stretch, Peters has posted a 0.75 ERA while scattering seven hits and three walks compared to eight strikeouts. Additionally, Peters has won consecutive starts for the first time this season. In his most recent outing, the right-hander worked six scoreless frames against Kenosha at Simmons Field, allowing five hits, issuing one walk, and punching out five.

Peters will be met by right-hander Cole Erickson for the second time in as many starts, having beaten Erickson in their first match up. Erickson enters play with a record of 2-3, a 4.63 ERA. and 38 strikeouts compared to 21 walks in 10 games pitched (nine starts) spanning 54 1/3 innings on the mound. In route to taking the loss in his first meeting with the Rafters, Erickson was hit hard to the tune of six runs on seven hits. Despite absorbing the loss, Erickson illustrated excellent command of the strike zone, striking out seven batters without a walk. The Deerfield native’s second look at the Rafters comes after a shuffling to the Rafter roster that has transformed a third of the lineup. With a flurry of new faces gracing the Rafter order, the Rats will look to find the same success against Erickson that they enjoyed in their first encounter.

First pitch at Witter Field is slated for 7:05 PM with gates opening 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.