Wisconsin Rapids gained nine hits and seven runs

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI- The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (21-20) snap a three-game losing streak and best the Green Bay Booyah (16-24) 7-2 at Witter Field on Saturday night.

The Rafters, after only gaining two runs in the last two games, matched that in the first inning. A fielder’s choice from Marco Castillo (Claremont McKenna) scored the first and sacrifice fly from EJ Exposito (Long Island) the second.

The Booyah responded with a two-run homer in the second. Ben Vespi (Central Flordia), the Rafters starter exited after that inning.

Wisconsin Rapids jumped back on top in the third with another RBI from Castillo on a sacrifice fly.

Devin Rivera (Villanova) took the hill in the third and would go five innings scoreless. He allowed five baserunners, but not one reached scoring position.

The Rafters lit up the Booyah bullpen, with an Angelo D’Acunto (Holy Cross) RBI single in the sixth and didn’t let it end in the seventh when three hits brought home three runs. Josh Nicoloff (Kansas State) had a two-hit night and RBI double, to help bring the Rafters’ offense back to form.

“We trusted the process today and had some fun, and the result was a good day,” said Nicoloff.

Hayden Harris (Georgia Southern) and Brayden Bonner (Dixie State) completed 1-2-3 innings to finish the game.

The Rafters and Booyah play game two of the weekend series with first pitch at 5:05 p.m. from Witter. Projected starters are Wyatt Thompson (Chapman, 2.45 ERA) and Tyler Chadwick (West Virginia, 11.12 ERA). Catch the action on WFHR AM 1320 and the Northwoods League Baseball Network.

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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’ 27^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 250 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 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 Gold Glove finalist and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TOR). 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