BATTLE CREEK, MI. – The Rafters closed their Michigan trip on a sour note at MCCU Field against the Battle Creek Battle Jacks. The 8-0 final score marks the fifth time Wisconsin Rapids was held scoreless this season. 

The game’s first run from the host didn’t come until the sixth frame. Battle Creek plated four while sending eight to the dish against right-hander Evan Parmer. 

Ben Fierenzi’s RBI single got the scoring started for Battle Creek, and a massive two-run triple from Cayden Wotipka made it 3-0. Garrett Smith’s RBI single two batters later concluded the production at the plate in the inning. 

Three more runs were added on an inning later, all with two outs. Three straight batters drove in the runs for the Battle Jacks. Fierenzi, Wotipka, and Cody Hultink all drove in runs with singles, extending the lead to seven.

The final run of the ball game was pushed across in the eighth off the bat of Sam Griffith. The RBI single for the second baseman was the tenth knock of the contest for Battle Creek. 

Kenji Pallares got the nod on the hill for Wisconsin Rapids in this one. In his first start away from Witter Field, the right-hander dazzled. Pallares threw five scoreless innings in his second road outing in a Rafter uniform. The San Gabriel, CA native allowed three hits, walked one, and struck out five on 62 pitches. 

Evan Parmer was credited with the loss in relief of Pallares. The VMI product went 1.2 frames out of the stable and gave up seven earned runs on eight hits. Parmer walked one and punched out a Battle Jack hitter in his ninth outing of the season. 

Aidan Teel picked up two of the five Rafter hits in the shutout. This marks seven consecutive contests where the Virginia Cavalier has recorded a multi-hit game. 

The Rafters return home Thursday to face the Wausau Woodchucks at Witter Field. First pitch is slated for 6:35in the first of the home-and-home series between the two clubs. The game can be heard live on  WFHR – 97.5 FM/1320 AM with Andy Jachim and viewed on the Northwoods League Plus App with Khalin Kapoor.