Rafters Drop Early Game to the Woodchucks

Wisconsin Rapids falls in first game of Tuesday double-header

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. –  Late inning offense gave the Wisconsin Woodchucks (7-13) a 9-3 win against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (17-3) in game one of a double-header on Tuesday from Athletic Park.

This is the second time this season the Woodchucks have beaten the Rafters.  

Wisconsin jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a Nolan Ryan sacrifice fly in the second off Rafters starter Quinn DiPasquale (2-1). The led did not last long for the Woodchucks as Ryan Stekl drove a two-run single in the third inning to put the Rafters on the board with a lead for the first time in the game.

After the two runs for the Rafters, Woodchucks starter Korey Rasure (1-1) settled in, tossing six innings of two-run baseball, not giving up a run after the third.

The lead changed hands again in the sixth inning as the Woodchucks chases DiPasquale. Tristian Clarke led off with a double and scored on a Stevie Mangrum single to tie the game 2-2. With the bases loaded, Ivan Nunez was hit by a pitch, giving the Woodchucks the lead back. Andrew Smith bounced into a fielder’s choice off Rafters reliever Trey Schramm, while Jordan Santos brought in Dalton Reed on an RBI single. The Woodchucks led 5-2 after six.

In the next frame, Nick Owens led off with a walk for the Rafters. Wyatt Mascarella singled to put runners at first and second for Charlie McConnell. The lefty drove a ball to deep right-center, scoring one to pull the Rafters within 5-3. But the Wisconsin continued the late-inning bats in the bottom half of the inning.

Milton Rivera led off with a single with Clarke drew a walk. Mangrum drove a single to left, scoring Rivera and extending the Woodchucks lead. Reed doubled to left to score two runs, and Ryan singled to right to bring in Reed to give the Woodchucks a 9-3 lead. The bullpen shut the door, not giving up a run in the final two innings.

Rasure earns the win for the first time this year, while DiPasquale is tagged with his first loss of the summer. Bryson Stott finished with a 2-4 day for the Rafters with two singles.

Coverage of the second game of the double-header can be found on WFHR 1320 AM or WFHR.com, the Rafters Radio Network. Pregame coverage starts at 6:50 pm from Witter Field.

 

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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.