Wisconsin Rapids smashed twelve hits against Battle Creek including a bomb from Jack-Thomas Wold

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – The Bombers struck first but the Rafters had the last laugh Thursday night defeating Battle Creek by a final of 9-4. Battle Creek struck first in the second with a leadoff home run from Zach Gartner. The cranberry and gold responded with a three-run bottom of the second. Mitch Mallek (St. Cloud State) scored on an error committed by Bombers’ starter Walter Talcott. Seth Mullis (UNLV) capped things off with a two-run double scoring Jake Dunham (Northern Illinois) and Jarrod Watkins (Indiana State). Battle Creek scored three of their own in the third off two hits and two Rafters errors to take a 4-3 lead.

Jack-Thomas Wold (UNLV) tied things up at four apiece on the first pitch in the bottom of the third with a solo bomb to centerfield. His first of the year and the first Rafter to a hit home run at Witter Field in 2018. Wisconsin Rapids took the lead in the fifth as Payton Robertson (Lamar) collected a leadoff single and later scored on another Bombers error. The cranberry and gold broke it open in the seventh with a four-run, five-hit inning. The cranberry and gold collected four consecutive base hits as the Bombers’ relief corps struggled to keep the Rafters off the board.

Jonathan Hernandez earned the win, his first of the year. He threw three scoreless relief innings with five punchouts. Walter Talcott was given the loss. In five innings, Talcott allowed five runs on six hits while striking out two.

The Rafters continue the six-game homestand tomorrow night hosting the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders for the first two games of the season series. Tomorrow features an appearance from Brewers All-Star Cecil Cooper, brought to you by Bull’s Eye Credit Union. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm. Get your tickets today at raftersbaseball.com, by calling 715-424-5400 or visiting the Witter Field Ticket Office at 521 Lincoln St. in Wisconsin Rapids.

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