Rafters and Mallards Meet for the First Time This Year

Wisconsin Rapids one win away from franchise-best 10 game win streak

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – For the first time this season, the Madison Mallards (5-7) and Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (11-1) meet at Witter Field on Sunday afternoon.

After a late offensive surge for the Rafters Saturday night in a 12-inning marathon against the Kalamazoo Growlers, the Rafters won their ninth straight game 13-12 in walk-off fashion.

Trailing 12-9 heading into the bottom of the ninth, the Rafters scored a run on an RBI fielder’s choice off the bat of Ryan Stekl. Wisconsin Rapids then put runners on second and third with Scott Kapers up to bat. Kapers grounded a hard-hit ball past the third basemen Ivan Estrella two drive in two runs to tie the game.

Both pitching staffs clamped down in the 10^th and 11^th innings, bringing the game to a tie 12-12 heading into the bottom of the 12^th frame. Bryson Stott drew his fifth walk of the game (a new team record for walks in a game) and advanced to second on a passed ball. Dustin Woodcock drilled a single to left, scoring Stott from second to walk-off in a five-hour game.

This afternoon, the Rafters send Jack Eagan to the hill for his third start of the year. The lefty starter has given up one run in 12 innings pitched. The Opening Day starter gave up one hit to the Kenosha offense in the season’s first game of the year. In his second start, Eagan allowed one run and struck out five Woodchuck batters to pick up his second win. Starting for Madison is right-hander Ryan Schmitt from Illinois. The freshman has started in one game and appeared out of the bullpen in another. He has not given up an earned run in six innings this year.

First pitch is slated for 1:05 pm at Witter Field. Aspirus Riverview Hospital and Clinics will be sponsoring a commemorative World Series Championship Stadium Blanket Giveaway for fans in attendance at this afternoon’s game. Coverage starts at 12:50 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.