Following a tough one-run loss, the Rafters seek to split the homestand against Lakeshore

After coming up just short in a tight 7-6 loss to the Lakeshore Chinooks (2-7), the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (3-6) look to even the series at home on Thursday night.

The Rafters struck first with four runs in the opening frame and later retook the lead after falling behind. Ultimately, however, a ninth-inning surge by Lakeshore would be the difference.

Richie Schiekofer went 3-for-4 in the loss, scoring two runs. He now leads the Rafters with a .484 batting average through nine games. Jake Dunham leads the team in RBIs, plating six runs on the season.

Neil Abbatiello is projected to start on the mound for Wisconsin Rapids tonight. He pitched a no-decision in his first outing of the season, going five innings and striking out five batters. Austin Edwards, who has an 0-1 record, is expected to start for Lakeshore.

The Rafters play two more with the Chinooks on the road Friday and Saturday before the team returns 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.