Rafters Host Kalamazoo for First Meeting of the Year

Wisconsin Rapids starts a four-game home stand looking to extend its seven-game win streak

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. –  For the first time this year, Wisconsin Rapids (9-1) takes on Kalamazoo (4-6) Friday evening at Witter Field.

Currently riding a seven-game win streak the Rafters enter today’s game after a comeback win from Thursday night.

Jake Guenther started the scoring in the second inning for the Rafters. After Bryson Stott led off with a single, Guenther singled him home. Fond du Lac tied the game on a Nick Fortes home-run.

After the Dock Spiders scored three in the bottom of the sixth, the Rafters offense went to work. With the bases loaded, Christian Jones was hit by a pitch to score a run and pull the game to a 4-2 deficit. Dustin Woodcock followed with a two-RBI single to tie the game heading into the bottom of the inning. The Dock Spiders tagged on another run to regain the lead before the Rafters took the lead for good in the top of the eighth.

With the bases loaded, Mitch Mallek dropped in a fielder’s choice to drive in a run and tie the game. Right after the at-bat, the game was delayed due to lightning and rain. Following the delay, Nick Owens drew a walk to load the bases again. Jones smacked a two-RBI double off the left field wall and Wisconsin Rapids took a 7-5 lead. The Rafters tagged on one more in the inning to win 8-5.

Kalamazoo dropped a one-run game to the Green Bay Bullfrogs on Thursday night after holding a 3-0 lead through four innings.

J.P. Stevenson is slated to make his second start on the year for Wisconsin Rapids. In his first start of the year, the lefty tossed six innings against Lakeshore on the road. Stevenson gave up two runs and picked up a no decision in a game the Rafters won 7-2.

Friday night is Mustache Night with Rollie Fingers making an appearance at Witter Field. First pitch is slated for 7:05 pm at Witter Field with coverage starting at 6:50 pm on AM 1320 WFHR and WFHR.com, the Rafters Radio Network.

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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.