Wisconsin Rapids head into All-Star break and will return to action Thursday July 22nd

WAUSAU, WI – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (22-27) for the fourth straight game reached but stranded the game-tying runner on base in the top of the ninth, dropping today’s Sunday matinee 5-4 against the Wisconsin Woodchucks (29-17).

The Woodchucks had an offensive explosion in the first, blasting two home runs and totaling four runs. Rafters’ starter Cole Eigenhuis (Sacramento City CC) bounced back, allowing only one baserunner over the next two innings.

Wisconsin Rapids responded in the fifth ultimately figuring out the Woodchucks starter, as Angelo D’Acunto (Holy Cross) sent a ball over the left-field wall for his first home run of the season.

The Rafter bullpen held the score from the fourth through the sixth inning, two scoreless from Jack Gonzales (Dixie State) and one scoreless from Hayden Harris (Georgia Southern). The Woodchucks tacked on their third homer and fifth run in the seventh.

Down 5-1, Wisconsin Rapids didn’t back down, gaining two runs in the top of the eighth, an RBI single from Blake Mann (St. Mary’s) and an RBI single from D’Acunto.

In the top of the ninth, pinch hitter EJ Exposito (Long Island) singled and then was plated by fellow pinch hitter Couper Cornblum (Wichita State) with a groundout to short. Bringing the score to 5-4.

Ben Swords (Webster) reached via an error by the shortstop, and Andrew Duran (New Orleans) singled to place runners at the corners with one out. Wisconsin Rapids would leave those runners aboard after a lineout and strikeout.

The Rafters have dropped six games in a row, and 12 losses this season have been by just one run.

The Northwoods League All-Star Game is Tuesday July 20th at 7:05 p.m. at ISG Field in Mankato, Minnesota. Wisconsin Rapids return to action Thursday July 22nd and will play two seven innings games at Witter Field, first pitch of game one is 4:05 p.m. Coverage on WFHR AM 1320 and the Northwoods League Baseball Network.