Rafters drop the first game of the series

Wisconsin Rapids, WI— The Rafters were unable to steal game 1 of the series vs Traverse City as they fell 3-1. They out hit the Pit Spitters 9-6.

Traverse City wasted no time in the top of the first as Clemson right fielder, Jack Crighton, got on first on an infield hit. Crighton then stole 2 straight bases which advanced him to 3rd. Glenn Miller grounded out at shortstop, but Crighton got home. The Pit Spitters then pounced on a Rafters error from a passed ball at 1st. The ball rolled into right field and Hukill scored from second to make it 2-0. 

The Pit Spitters did not stop there as they acquired another run in the 3rd. Glenn Miller grounded out another RBI to allow Brosius to score. The Rafters had no answer to any of Traverse City’s runs as many of their hits were in lead off positions and came up empty after that. The Pit Spitters infield were constantly getting double plays and only committed one error. Wisconsin Rapids hit a lot of balls right to Traverse City’s defense. Not many times in the game did they have runners in scoring position. 

Calen Graham got the start on the mound and only had 1 strikeout in 3 innings. Mikiah Negrete came in after that and tallied 2 more strikeouts. The Rats got a run back in the top of the 8th as Jorge De Goti acquired his second hit on the day with a hit ball passed through 3rd base. Shortly after, Ty Johnson flew out to deep center field, but De Goti got home which was the only run the Rafters scored. 

Wisconsin Rapids could not find ways to get runs home and 2 errors in the field really cost them. This is the first time these two teams met since 2021 and the Rats did not start the series as they would have liked. They will have to forget about this game because they play the second game of the series tomorrow at 7:05 E.T right back at Turtle Creek Stadium. 

Rafters ticket offerings visit Raftersbaseball.com, call the Rafthouse at 715-424-5400, or come visit us over at historic Witter Field. The Box Office is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday at Witter Field, 521 Lincoln Street in Wisconsin Rapids.

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. Now in its’ 30^th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 24 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 325 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 and on ESPN+. For more information, visit 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.