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Wisconsin Rapids earned their second sweep in their past three series with wins over Battle Creek
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (24-29, 9-9 2nd half) swept the Battle Creek Bombers (24-28, 8-9 2nd half). After having yesterday’s game suspended in the fifth, the game was resumed with the bases loaded, one out and Mitch Mallek (St. Cloud State) at the plate. The game was tied at one when it was restarted and on the first pitch Sunday morning, Mallek lifted to left for a base hit giving the Rafters a 2-1 lead.
It was all Wisconsin Rapids in the resumed game on Sunday. Alex Fedje-Johnson (Davidson) worked a walk with the bases-loaded to bring in another Rafters run. Two more runs crossed in the ninth as Ty Duvall (Vanderbilt) worked a walk with the bases loaded, his fifth walk of the game. Jack-Thomas Wold (UNLV) followed with an RBI sacrifice fly. Wisconsin Rapids took game one by a final of 5-1.
Jonathan Hernandez (2-1, 1.41 ERA) earned the win with four scoreless relief innings and three strikeouts. Jordan Rhodes (1-2, 3.58 ERA) suffered the loss as he was responsible for the go-ahead run in the fifth.
In game two, the Rafters and Bombers both had hot starts at the plate. The cranberry and gold scored four times off five hits. Brody Wofford (University of Central Florida) nailed his eighth home run of the season, scoring two runs. Jake Dunham (Northern Illinois) collected an RBI double and Matt Schmidt (Michigan) started an eventual three-hit day with an RBI base hit in the first. The Bombers scored four as well in their first due to three Rafter errors and an RBI double.
Wisconsin Rapids took a 6-4 lead in the fourth. Ethan Stringer (Louisville) scored on a Battle Creek error and Ty Duvall collected an RBI base hit. Both teams scored in the sixth. Wofford smacked a two-run base hit and Wold scored one with his second double of the day. The Bombers scored two on a double from Alec Cargin but the Rafters held on 9-6.
Kyle Hodgson (3-0, 3.58 ERA) earned the win in his first start of the season. Kevin Hahn (2-2, 2.97 ERA) suffered the loss. He allowed five total runs (three earned) on five hits. Hunter Waldis earned his first save of the season.
The Rafters head to the All-Star break with five players representing the team in Kalamazoo on Tuesday. Mason McReaken (SIU Edwardsville), Trayson Kubo (Stephen F. Austin), Ty Duvall, Jack-Thomas Wold and Brody Wofford will be featured in the All-Star Game at 7:30 pm ET at Homer Stryker 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. Now in its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods 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, 190 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com 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.
