Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (2-5) couldn’t stop the rough losses as they dropped their game 10-1 with the Wausau Woodchucks (5-2) Monday evening. It was the fourth straight loss for the Rafters as the Woodchucks pulled ahead early and stayed up. The Rafters saw Junior Barajas pick up an extra-base hit in his sixth of seven games while Hayden Carlson reached multiple times in his sixth straight game.

The Woodchucks started hot, grabbing three runs in the top of the first on Rafters starter Jeremy Jones (0-1). After the first four batters reached, Jones retired the next eight in a row.

That stretch allowed the Rafters to cut into the lead 3-1 in the bottom of the second with an RBI single from Lachlan Maude, although that was the only run they would score all game.

The Woodchucks once again got hot in the top of the third, seeing five consecutive batters reach safely against Wisconsin Rapids’ Jones, leading to three runs and a 6-1 game.

Jones once again caught fire after that, retiring the next 10 in a row and going through a Rafters season-high 6.0 innings of work before Tristin Crusenberry relieved him to start the seventh.

In the top of the seventh, it was a two-run homer from Max Galvin that brought the Wausau lead to 8-1.

That was followed in the top of the ninth by Wausau’s Max Soliz hitting a two-run shot of his own off Rafters reliever Kenny Schultz, making it a 10-1 game.

Wausau starter Nolan Bernard (2-0) ended his night going six innings allowing just one run while he struck out seven before handing it off to a bullpen who faced the minimum over three innings.

The loss keeps the Rafters tied for last in the subdivision while Wausau remains locked in a tie with Lakeshore for first place. The Rafters will head to Wausau for a rematch Tuesday night and hope for a better result. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. and will be broadcast for video on NWL+ and for radio on WFHR 97.5 FM/1320 AM.