Wednesday’s win increases Rafters’ Wisconsin-Illinois Pod lead to 2.5 games.

Wisconsin Rapids, WI – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters took their revenge on the Wisconsin Woodchucks on Wednesday, winning handily, 9-2. Behind 11 base hits and 12 strikeouts from the pitchers, the Rafters went to work early to clobber the Woodchucks.

In the second inning, the Rafters started the slow climb to victory with a Richie Schiekofer RBI single with the bases loaded. The Rafters loaded the bases again in the third but were only able to get one on an RBI groundout from Hank Zeisler to make the score 2-0.

Andy Garriola drove in two more in the fourth to double the lead to 4-0. In the fifth, Roman Trujillo and Jack-Thomas Wold both drove in Rafters to increase the lead further to 7-1. Ryan Walstad and Christian Sepulveda finished off the scoring for the Rafters with an RBI double and an RBI walk to make the score 9-2.

Rafters pitching was strong, striking out 12 Woodchucks. Nathan Hemmerling started and threw four scoreless innings. Sam Hliboki relieved Hemmerling for four innings, allowing two runs, earning a win to go with no walks and four strikeouts. Woodchucks starter Matt Taylor was dealt the loss, allowing two runs while walking six. The Woodchucks pitching walked 11. Rafters reliever Hunter Waldis ended the game with a scoreless ninth.

The Rafters improved to 7-1, high at the top of the Wisconsin-Illinois Pod. The Woodchucks fell to 1-6, still last place in the Pod.

Tomorrow, the Rafters begin a two-game series at the Rockford Rivets (4-4). First pitch is at 6:05pm, and coverage begins at 5:45pm on AM 1320 WFHR.

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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.