The Rafters recorded just two baserunners through the first eight innings.

Wausau, WI – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (22-26) fell 6-3 to the Wisconsin Woodchucks (28-19) at Athletic Park on a balmy Saturday evening. The Rafters have lost a season long five games in a row.

Nathan Hemmerling (Lakeland) dominated the Woodchucks. The righty entered in the fourth inning and threw three perfect innings in relief. He struck out five Woodchucks. McKinley Erves (LaGrange) helped out Hemmerling in the sixth inning with a spectacular diving catch in right field.

The Woodchucks took a 2-0 lead in the third inning with a double, walk and error. Wyatt Thompson (Chapman) allowed just two hits in a three inning start for Wisconsin Rapids.

The Woodchucks added to their lead with a four run seventh inning. Rafters’ pitcher Nick Torres (Long Island) escaped unscathed from a bases loaded jam with no outs in the eighth.

After just one hit in the first eight innings Wisconsin Rapids came alive in the ninth trailing 6-0. Andrew Duran (New Orleans) and Blake Mann (St. Mary’s) had RBI hits as part of a three run inning courtesy of three singles and three walks. The Rafters struck out to end the game with the bases loaded and the tying run at first base.

The Rafters conclude their four-game road trip and the two game rivalry series in Wausau tomorrow. Jack Gonzales (Dixie State, 6.08 ERA) is the Rafters’ probable pitcher. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 PM and the game can be heard on WFHR AM 1320.

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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