The Rafters offense put up big numbers early, but failed to maintain lead in loss to Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – In the first game between two Central Wisconsin teams, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (2-5) dropped a close 6-5 decision to the Wisconsin Woodchucks (5-2) in the series opener.

Jake Dunham got the Rafters on the board first with the first home run of the season for Wisconsin Rapids in the bottom of the first inning. Wisconsin levelled the game with an RBI single in the third.

The Rafters broke the game open in the bottom of the third, however the offense batted around and scored four runs, including an RBI double by Dunham. The Woodchucks chipped away at the Rapids lead, scoring a pair of runs in both the sixth and seventh inning to even the score again.

An RBI single in the top of the ninth gave the Woodchucks the lead heading to the final half inning. Anthony Galason was at the plate with two outs and a runner on first, but grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the game and seal the win for Wisconsin.

Izzy Fuentes is credited with the loss and the Woodchucks’ Trey Horton gets the win. The Rafters and Woodchucks play game two tomorrow night in Wausau at 6:35 p.m.

Want to attend a Rafters game this season? Single-game tickets are on sale now. For more information on all Rafters ticket offerings visit Raftersbaseball.com, call the Rafthouse at 715-424-5400, or come visit us over at historic Witter Field. The Rafters ticket office is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday at Witter Field, 521 Lincoln Street in Wisconsin Rapids.

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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 Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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, over 200 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.