MADISON, Wis. – Through 48 games, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters still have single-digit losses.  At the Northwoods League All-Star break, the already history Rafters are 39-9 in 2022.  They earned their 39th win this afternoon in Madison in the Rafters 9-5 victory over the Mallards. 

Just as they did last night, the Rafters scored in the top of the first inning.  Garrett Broussard received an RBI on a groundout to put the Rats up 1-0.  However, the Mallards answered back on Rafters starter, Ben Amon, in the bottom half of the first.  A Chad McCann RBI single tied it up, 1-1.  The Rafters were held scoreless in the second and third innings.  However, the Mallards took their first lead of the afternoon in the bottom of the third via an RBI sacrifice fly, 2-1. 

The Rafters tied it back up in the top of the fourth, as Harry Owen scored on a wild pitch to make it a 2-2 game.  Ben Amon finished off his day with a scoreless home half of the fourth.  The Rafters starter threw four innings, gave up two runs (one earned) on six hits, three walks, and struck out three Mallards.  Malakai Vetock came in the game for the Rafters in the bottom of fifth, as he threw a scoreless half inning.  The Rafters offense was again held scoreless in the top of the sixth, but Vetock finished his outing retiring the Mallards in order, 1-2-3. 

The Rats offense came alive in the top of the seventh.  A wild pitch, RBI single from McKinley Erves, and Aidan Brewer RBI bases-loaded walk gave the Rafters a 5-2 lead.  However, the Mallards kept pace.  Rafters reliever, Connor Kurki, entered the game to pitch in the bottom of the seventh.  Madison scored two runs to make it 5-4, but Kurki still preserved the Rafters lead.  

Both teams were held scoreless in the eighth, including another scoreless inning from Rafters reliever, Tanner Chafin.  The Rats bats exploded again in the top of the ninth.  An Aidan Brewer RBI sacrifice fly and an E6 made by Madison put the Rafters up 7-4.  Two more Rafter runs scored on a two-out two-run single from Colin Tuft who gave Wisconsin Rapids a 9-4 lead.  Preston Howey retired the side on five pitches in the bottom of the ninth inning to secure the Rafters 39th win of the season.  Vetock recorded his third win of 2022, as he moved to 3-0.  Erves, Nankil, Jurgella, Jensen, and Tuft all had multi-hit afternoons, as Erves had a three-hit performance. 

Make sure to come out to the 2022 Northwoods League Home Run Challenge at Witter Field tomorrow at 7 pm! If you cannot attend in person, be sure to watch online with the “Stream Team” of Carter Gledhill, Joel Dhein, and Brett Loftis!

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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.