Rafters Split Series against Lakeshore With Win on Sunday
McReaken strong out of the bullpen to seal victory
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – In the series finale at Witter Field, Wisconsin Rapids (42-18, 15-9) defeated Lakeshore (31-28, 13-11) on Sunday, 6-2. Scott Kapers drove in two runs on a double in the fourth inning and the Rafters took advantage of two costly Lakeshore errors. Mason McReaken tossed three and a third scoreless innings to finish the game and bounce back after falling in last night’s game.
Lakeshore jumped out to a lead in the second inning, but Rafters starter George Castillo was able to minimize the damage, allowing one run. Drake Lubin drove in the run for the Chinooks, singling back up the middle to plate Jack Dunn. An outfield assist from Jake Guenther to Bryson Stott to the catcher Scott Kapers cut down a would be run at home plate and a fly out with the bases loaded ended the threat.
The Rafters took advantage of a walk and a Lakeshore error to move runners into scoring position in the fourth inning. With runners on the corners with two outs, Scott Kapers delivered a double off the wall in left field to score Ryan Stekl and Will Davis. Wisconsin Rapids carried a 2-1 lead into the fifth inning.
It didn’t take long for the Chinooks to respond, with Daniel DeSimone tying the ball game with one swing in top of the fifth. DeSimone hit his fifth home run on the year to tie the game at two.
Wisconsin Rapids regained the lead in the sixth, scoring three runs on two hits and a Lakeshore error. With runners on second and third, a ground ball from Scott Kapers slipped through the legs of the Chinook third baseman and two runs crossed. Kapers came around to score on a Charlie McConnell RBI single to right field to put the Rafters up 5-2 entering the seventh.
The Rafters added an insurance run in the seventh, with Dustin Woodcock driving in Bryson Stott on a sacrifice fly to center.
McReaken (2-1) earned the victory, tossing the final three and a third innings of scoreless baseball to defeat the Chinooks. Castillo started for the Rafters and tossed five and two-third innings, allowing two runs on nine hits.
The Rafters open a two game home series against the Kalamazoo Growlers Monday; with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. Coverage of the game starts at 6:50 p.m. on AM 1320 WFHR and WFHR.com, the Rafters Radio Network. Monday is Salute to Wisconsin Sports Day. Wear your favorite Wisconsin team’s gear and be entered into a drawing to win sports memorabilia throughout the night.
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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, 180 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 www.raftersbaseball.comor download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rafters as your favorite team.
