MEQUON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters have been hot to start this year.  However, Friday in the Rafters fourth straight win in the 2022 season, the Rats took their winning ways to a whole other level in their 6-3 victory over the Lakeshore Chinooks.  

The Rafters were retired 1-2-3 to start the game.  Then, in the bottom of the first, Chinooks center fielder, Josh Williams, hit a homer that almost landed in Lake Michigan to give Lakeshore a 1-0 lead.  However, the Rats came storming back as they put up two in the second off of a Harry Owen RBI single and then a Levi Jensen bases-loaded walk to take a 2-1 lead.  Rafters starter Collin Kiernan began to find his stuff as he had a 1-2-3 bottom of the second. However, after a scoreless top third for the Rats bats, Kiernan gave up two more runs to the Chinooks as they took a 3-2 lead. 

The Rafters took advantage of some inconsistent pitching and subpar defense in the top of the fourth to score three more runs, as the Rats took a 5-2 lead.  A newcomer from ETSU, Tommy Barth, hit a two-run double off of the wall that ignited the Rats bats halfway through the game.  The Rafters brought one more run across in the fifth when Aidan Brewer hit a ball that was bobbled by the shortstop that resulted in an E6 and Garrett Broussard scoring from third.  Collin Kiernan finished out his night dominant as well, as he went 10 up 10 down over his last 3.1 innings pitched.  Kiernan received the win while throwing six innings, recording four strikeouts, and giving up three runs.  

Ben Adams threw two solid innings in the seventh and eighth, as he struck out three Chinooks and only gave up one hit.  Jake Dahle came in the ballgame in the night and recorded while only throwing seven pitches and striking out one Chinook.  Aidan Brewer was the Rats standout offensively, as he went 3-for-4 while picking up 2 RBI on the night. 

The Rafters will play the Chinooks again in Mequon tomorrow at 6:35 pm.  Tune in on WFHR at 6:20 pm to hear Brett Loftis call game six of the Rafters season. 

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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’ 28th 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 280 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 (NYM), 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 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com. 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.