Rafters One-Hit Woodchucks, Remain Undefeated

Wisconsin Rapids, WI – Ryan Walstad hit a three-run homer and the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (4-0) pitchers combined for 17 strikeouts in a 9-0 win over of the Wisconsin Woodchucks (0-3) on Saturday night.

Offensive fireworks began early for the Rafters with two runs in the first. An RBI fielder’s choice off the bat of Jack-Thomas Wold, coupled with a Woodchucks error, scored two right off the bat for the Rafters on Independence Day. The Woodchucks finished the night with six errors.

The second inning was even more productive, with six runs on five hits. Kyle Teel, Andy Garriola and Christian Sepulveda all punched singles to the outfield to drive the score up to 5-0 before Walstad dug into the batter’s box. Walstad pummeled a three-run jack to raise the lead to 8-0. One more run in the fifth, from a Parker Nolan sacrifice fly, ended the scoring at nine runs for Wisconsin Rapids.

On the pitching end, the Woodchucks were held in check by three Rafters pitchers, Jack Gonzales, Spencer Arrighetti, and Alex Salazar. Gonzales, the starter, threw three innings, allowing just one baserunner on an error in the first, striking out seven. Arrighetti relieved and was perfect, allowing no baserunners with eight strikeouts over five frames. Salazar came on in the ninth, allowing the first Woodchucks hit, but closed the door with a strikeout of Andy Frank.

Tomorrow, the Rafters finish the two-game homestand against the La Crosse Loggers with Rosco’s 11^th birthday bash. Coverage on Northwoods League TV starts at 1:00pm with first pitch at 1:05pm from Witter 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. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 26^th season, 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 230 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB All-Star Jordan Zimmermann (DET). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. 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