By Lance Roth

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. — Stellar performances on the mound guided the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters to a 2-1 comeback victory over the Wausau Woodchucks on Monday night at Historic Witter Field.

The win by the Rafters (10-24) spoiled a major milestone for the Woodchucks (21-9), officially denying Wausau’s bid to clinch the first-half division championship.

The pitching duo of Kade Irons and Sam Neal carried the load for Wisconsin Rapids in what was the final game of the summer for both players. Irons turned in one of his best outings of the season, striking out six and scattering just one run over seven dominant innings. 

Neal earned the win in relief, striking out two over two scoreless frames to lock down the victory.

Wausau got on the board early in the first inning when Jake Berkland singled to right, advanced on a sacrifice bunt, and crossed the plate on a flyout.

The Rafters’ offense was held to just four hits but manufactured the necessary runs late. Nico DeFazio provided the game-tying spark in the eighth inning, driving a single to left field that allowed Erick Soto to score from first base following an error by Wausau outfielder Gatlin Pitts.

Zachary Gingrich added to his league-leading stats by smashing his 13th double of the season. The Rafters’ remaining hits came from a fourth-inning single by Uriah Walters and an eighth-inning single from Jax LeGrand.

The conclusion of the first half marks a mass departure for the Wisconsin Rapids roster. Pitchers Kade Irons, Sam Neal, Spencer Lanz, and Dylan Buechele, alongside outfielder Zachary Gingrich, have all concluded their time with the team.

The Rafters will look to go back-to-back against the Woodchucks tonight in the fourth game of their homestand. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. CT at Historic Witter Field.