Rafters can’t bring in runs and lose to the Dock Spiders

Wisconsin Rapids, WI— A low scoring affair results in a Rafters loss as they fall to the Dock Spiders 2-1. They could not get consistent hits and were out hit 6-4.

This was a defensive duel between the two bullpens as Brycen Parrish got the start on the rubber for the Rats. He went 4 innings allowing 3 hits, but tallied 3 strikeouts. Getting the start for the Dock Spiders was the Wisconsin Stevens Point pitcher, Mason Weckler, he went 7 innings and grabbed 4 strikeouts. 

Anthony Bennetti then stepped on the mound for the Rafters in the 5th inning and had his biggest day yet. He let up 3 hits and 2 runs, but grabbed 6 strikeouts, the most he has had in a game all year. 

After it was scoreless for 4 and a half innings of baseball, the Rats finally broke through in the bottom of the 5th. Indiana product and the Miami native, Jorge De Goti hit a high fly ball into deep right center field to lead off with a double. The very next batter, Luke Hanson, pushed a perfectly executed bunt right in between the pitcher and catcher. He got to 1st while De Goti made it to 3rd. Helligso then hit a deep sac fly to bring De Goti home and the Rafters took a 1-0 lead.

That lead did not last for long though as Fond Du Lac had a quick response in the top of the 6th. With 2 outs, it seemed like it was going to be a routine 3 up and 3 down for the Rafters, but that all changed. The Dock Spiders made a quick attack as Jake Surane got on base from an error. Heinzen then singled into right field to bring 2 on and one in scoring position. The next batter up was the designated hitter, Barron Zamora, who hit a fast ground ball up the middle to bring in Surane. Graiden West then hit a weak ground ball over to Conniff who had trouble fielding it to bring Heinzen home. A 2-1 lead for the Dock Spiders and the Rats were playing from behind. 

Wisconsin Rapids really struggled sending guys home today. There were many ground outs as they could not seem to grab hits off of the Dock Spiders pitching staff. There were many 1-2-3 innings on both sides and 14 combined strikeouts between the two bullpens. Not much separated the two sides and the only difference was the two errors really hurt the Rats as they could not continue their 5 game win streak. They will have to shake this game off because they host Fond Du Lac once again tomorrow at Witter Field before hitting the road at Kalamazoo for two games. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05.

For 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