Rafters Search for a 2-0 Season Start vs. the Kingfish

After a one-hitter by the Rafters pitching staff, Wisconsin Rapids seeks a 2-0 start

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – Opening Night on Tuesday in Wisconsin Rapids was electric in front of a crowd of 1,574 fans who witnessed the one-hit shutout and 3-0 victory for the Rafters over the Kenosha Kingfish.

Today the Rafters are chasing more history in the second game of the season. With a chance to start the season with a 2-0 mark, it would signal the first time in franchise history the team has done so.

Yesterday’s win against the Kingfish gave the Rafters their first Opening Day shutout win, with starter Jack Eagan tossing six frames and striking out seven. The only hit allowed was to the first batter of the game with Chris Botsoe swinging at the first pitch and bouncing an infield single. Cameron Busby and Layne Henderson pitched the final three innings without allowing a hit as Henderson earned his first save of the season.

Today the Rafters hand the ball to Quinn DiPasquale of Stevens Tech to try and stymie the Kingfish bats in back-to-back nights. The right-hander recently completed his junior season, pitching in 14 games and holding an ERA of 3.60. The starter from Chelmsford, Massachusetts struck out 57 batters in the spring. DiPasquale’s counterpart is Quinn Snarskis for the Kingfish. The righty dealt to a 6-7 record at St. Joseph’s College in his sophomore campaign in 14 starts this spring.

First pitch is set for 7:05 pm at Witter Field with radio coverage starting at 6:50 pm on WFHR 1320 AM and WFHR.com.

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The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The 23-year-old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 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 170 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including two-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champion Ben Zobrist (CHC) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM) and Lucas Duda (NYM).  All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit http://northwoodsleague.com/wisconsin-rapids-rafters/ or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rafters as your favorite team.