Wisconsin Rapids shuts out Lakeshore in well-rounded victory

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (4-6) put together a strong showing in both phases of the game on their way to a 7-0 shutout win over the Lakeshore Chinooks (2-8).

The offense flexed its muscles early with two runs in the first inning, including an RBI double by Peter Matt. The Rafters added two runs in the fourth inning on RBI’s by Johnny Gonzales and Rich Ciufo.

One inning later, a Jake Dunham double brought in a run and Gonzales added another RBI as the Rafters extended their lead to 6-0 in the fifth. Gonzales notched his third RBI when hit a sacrifice fly to center in the seventh to put Wisconsin Rapids on top 7-0.

Rapids got a strong tandem performance on the mound from starter Neil Abbatiello, who got the win with nine strikeouts, and reliever Nate Barnes, who pitched the final four innings. Lakeshore’s starter Austin Edwards is credited with the loss.

The Rafters and Chinooks continue their season series Friday night as Wisconsin Rapids goes on the road for two games at Lakeshore. The Rafters return home Sunday for a 4:05 game against the Madison Mallards.

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.