Rafters Open Second Half of Season vs. Green Bay

Wisconsin Rapids looks to start second half strong at Witter Field

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – To open the second half of the 2017 season, Wisconsin Rapids (27-9) plays host to Green Bay (12-23) on Wednesday from Witter Field.

The first half of the season concluded on Independence Day on Tuesday as the Rafters defeated the Rockford Rivets 14-1 at home.

Jesse Slinger (5-0) led the way on the mound with a complete game effort, giving up three hits and one run, coming in the ninth. Slinger had a no-hitter through five innings, giving up his first hit to the leadoff man Zach Rheams in the sixth. The right-hander threw under 100 pitches on his way to a perfect record.

The offense backed Slinger with 15 hits, led by Christin Jones. Jones got the scoring underway in the bottom of the third when he smacked a solo homer to put the Rafters ahead. From there, Rapids did not look back. The Rafters then loaded the bases with no outs and pushed two runs across in the frame and chase Rivets starter Lukas Veinbergs (0-1) from the game. Nick Anderson drove in the first run on a fielder’s choice and the second run scored on an error.

To lead off the fourth, Jones wasted no time, blasting his second home-run of the game over the left field fence to put the Rafters ton top 4-0. In the fifth, two more home-runs for Wisconsin Rapids extended the lead to 9-0. Ryan Stekl hit a two-run home run to the deepest part of the park, his second on the year. Jones then hit his third home run in as many innings, bending a line drive around the foul pole in left to continue a career day at the plate. A three-run homer for Jones tallied his fifth RBI of the day.

The Rafters added four runs in the sixth on a pair of two RBI hits from Bryson Stott and Josh Rehwaldt. Stott doubled to center and Rehwaldt singled up the middle to plate the four runs for Wisconsin Rapids. One more run came across in the eighth on an error by the shortstop to extend the lead to 14-0. Rockford scored their lone run of the day with two outs in the ninth inning on a John Rave RBI single to centerfield.

Rapids opens the second half of the year with a 4-0 record against Green Bay this season. The Rafters are 2-0 at home and on the road against the Bullfrogs this season, but trail the all-time series 27-37.

The Rafters square off against the Green Bay Bullfrogs Wednesday from Witter Field, with first pitch at 7:05 p.m. to start the second half of the season. It is Bark in the Park Night with dog frisbee giveaway presented by Quality Feed and Seend. Owners and dogs are encouraged to dress up for the on-field costume parade. In addition, concessions will be offering the Hot Dog Hundo Promotion, with a chance to win cash prizes up to $100 by purchasing a hot dog. Pregame coverage starts 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.