WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. – As the former University of Miami Hurricane Santana Moss once said, “Big time players make big time plays in big games.”  Well tonight, after not having an at-bat in three weeks to the day, Chase Call answered when his number was called with a three-run pinch-hit homer that powered the Rafters over the Madison Mallards, 7-4. 

After a JJ Rollon leadoff single to begin the game for the Mallards, Rafters starter, Cooper Robinson, settled in and got retired the next two batters.  However, a two-out RBI single from Josh Caron gave Madison a 1-0 lead.  However, the Rats answered back in the home half via an RBI single from Brendan Bobo to tie it up, 1-1.  Robinson held the Mallards scoreless in the second, but again allowed an RBI groundout to Josh Caron, as Madison took a 2-1 lead.  However, the Rats countered with a run of their own, as Jacob Igawa scored on an E5 to tie the game back up at 2. 

Robinson held the Mallards scoreless in the fourth, but gave up an RBI single to Chad McCann in the fifth which put the Mallards back up 3-2.  Cooper Robinson was done after the fifth, as he gave up three runs on six hits, four walks, and one strikeout.  JJ Almeda made his Rafters debut in the top of the sixth, as he retired the Mallards in order, 1-2-3.  The Rats again tied it up in the bottom of the sixth via a Mallards E4 which allowed Stone Miyao to score.  

As the game entered into the seventh tied at 3, something seemingly had to give.  After an E1 throwing error to begin the top of the seventh, the Mallards struck again via an RBI single from Josh Caron to take a 4-3 lead.  Almeda finished his Rafters debut after two innings of allowing one run (unearned) while striking out three.  The Rafters put in Malakai Vetock in the top of the eighth, as he threw a scoreless half inning.

The Rats bats finally came alive in the bottom of the eighth.  After a leadoff double from Jacob Igawa, Garrett Broussard came up two batters later and tied the game up with an RBI single.  Two batters later, Chase Call, who had not had an at-bat since July 2, was called upon to pinch hit for Stone Miyao.  With two runners on and one out, Chase Call sent a shooting star into the night sky that landed over the cranberry fencing at Witter Field to put the Rafters up, 7-4.  Call’s second homer of 2022 could not have come at a better time, as this would prove to be the game-winning hit.  Ben Adams received his second save of the season after retiring Madison 1-2-3 in the ninth, as Malakai Vetock got his fourth win. 

The Rafters (41-10) will travel to Madison tomorrow afternoon to face the Mallards (22-29) 4:05 pm CT.  Catch all the action on 1320 AM/97.5 FM with Brett Loftis. 

###

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.