Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – Kenny Schultz made headlines for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters Saturday night, taking center stage in the win of a split doubleheader. Schultz, a current intern with the Rafters who came to Wisconsin Rapids to work in the press box, dominated the Rockford Rivets after signing a contract earlier in the day. It was an exciting finish for the doubleheader as well, with the Rafters walking it off in the second game. The first game was a continuation from the suspension of Friday’s rain out and saw a full nine innings of action where the Rivets won 8-3. The second game though, was the walk-off win for the Rafters, claiming the matchup 6-5. Wisconsin Rapids’ Noah Ruiz was on a roll, ending the night going 5-7 from the plate over the two games, picking up five RBIs and the walk-off hit in Game 2. Kenny Schultz dealt 4.2 innings of nearly shutout ball in the second game and way key to the Rats victory.

The first game was a bit of a struggle for the Rafters, but it didn’t start out that way. Wisconsin Rapids began the game up 3-0 after breaking the shutout in the bottom of the third. It started with a walk to Rafters’ Nick Adrian and a single from JJ Garcia which was followed by a mammoth, three-run shot from Drew Thompson over the left field wall.

From there, Rapids was held without a run, allowing eight unanswered from the Rivets. Rockford added one in the top of the fourth on a throwing error trying to catch a runner swiping third on starting pitcher Seth Spencer, cutting the Rafters’ lead to 3-1. Spencer was pulled with two outs in the frame, allowing only the unearned run in 3.2 innings of work with four strikeouts.

In the top of the fifth, the Rivets scored two more with back-to-back bases-loaded walks from Wisconsin Rapids’ pitcher Jack O’Brasky, knotting it 3-3. Rockford grabbed the lead 4-3 the next inning with a sac bunt off Rafters’ reliever Ashton Poole (0-1).

Another two came across for the Rivets in the top of the seventh thanks to a two-RBI single from Rockford’s AJ Malzone off Rapids’ Poole, extending the gap to 6-3. That became 8-3 the next inning when Ethan Delgado picked up a two-RBI single off Rafters reliever Espn Simpson.

Tony Torres had a shutout ninth for Wisconsin Rapids, but it wasn’t enough for the Rafters to make the five-run comeback.

The next game was more back and forth, with multiple go-aheads and ties throughout the night. As opposed to the first game, the second was just seven innings as part of the doubleheader. It started with the Rivets taking a 2-0 lead on Rafters starter Tristin Crusenberry, both unearned runs after an error on new shortstop Mason Onate.

In the bottom of the second, Wisconsin Rapids responded with their own two-run frame thanks to Hiroto Kobayashi’s RBI sac fly and Pat Costin’s RBI single off Rivets starter Gus Allred, tying it 2-2.

Rockford hit right back, reclaiming the lead in the top of the third. Rafters’ Crusenberry allowed a single, double, walk and walk to load the bases in a 3-2 game before he was pulled for Schultz. Schultz came in with no outs, and after an RBI sac fly from Rivets’ Jack Scheri, the Wisconsin Rapids intern induced a double play to end the frame 4-2.

After the Rafters went scoreless in the bottom of the third, Schultz went three up, three down in the top of the fourth, in part thanks to another double play. Wisconsin Rapids then gave him some support in the bottom of the frame getting even 4-4 after a two-run shot from Noah Ruiz off Rockford’s Allred over the left-center wall.

Neither team threatened in the top of the fifth and Schultz continued with a perfect sixth inning before the Rafters stranded the bases loaded in the bottom of the frame.

In the top of the seventh, Wisconsin Rapids’ Schultz retired the first two batters but a single from Rockford’s Cal Jones was followed by an RBI double from Delgado, giving the Rivets a 5-4 lead before Tony Torres (1-0) closed out the frame with a strikeout.

In the bottom of the seventh and final inning of action, the Rafters started with a strikeout before Mason Onate was hit by a pitch, Hiroto Kobayashi drew a walk, and the Rivets intentionally walked Chris Diaz to load the bases. With the bases loaded and one out, Wisconsin Rapids’ Noah Ruiz notched a two-RBI walk-off single off Rockford’s Reece Tarini (1-1), finishing the 6-5 game.

The Rafters moved to 2-4 at the end of the day while the Rivets go to 4-2. The Rafters still sit in fifth place in the subdivision, but are only two games back of the first place Rockers. The Rivets now are locked in a first-place tie with Royal Oak and Battle Creek atop the Great Lakes East and face Kenosha at home Sunday. The Rafters hit the road for Lakeshore their next game, with first pitch on Sunday at 1:05pm. The game will be televised on NWL+ and aired on the radio airwaves at WFHR 97.5 FM/1320 AM.