By Lance Roth

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. — The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (19-44) held an early lead behind a dominant start from Mikey Hotinski and another strong performance from Danny Gavin, but a seven-run sixth inning from the Green Bay Rockers proved to be the difference as the Rafters fell 8-6 Thursday night at Historic Witter Field.

The Rafters offense totaled nine hits on the evening, with Gavin leading the way. Gavin finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs, a double and a stolen base, while Kedren Kinzie added three RBIs and a double.

Wisconsin Rapids opened the scoring in the fifth inning after Gunnar Dillard singled and Aidan Thaxton reached base. Bennett Crerar followed with an RBI double to bring Dillard home before Kinzie added another run with an RBI double, giving the Rafters a 2-0 lead.

Hotinski kept the Rockers off the scoreboard through the first five innings, allowing just one hit while striking out four and walking two. Green Bay finally broke through in the sixth, scoring seven runs to take a 7-2 lead.

Coleman Lewis delivered the biggest hit of the inning with a three-run single, while Ben Fishel, James Knoll and Dawson Schmidt also drove in runs. The Rockers scored seven runs despite recording just four hits in the inning.

Wisconsin Rapids responded in the seventh when Gavin singled home Crerar, cutting the deficit to 7-3. Green Bay added another run in the ninth before the Rafters mounted one final rally.

The Rafters loaded the bases in the ninth before Kinzie delivered a three-run double, bringing Wisconsin Rapids within two runs at 8-6. The rally would end there as Connor Harvie had a near home run blast robbed at wall giving Green Bay the final out to secure the victory.

Will Davey provided three strong innings out of the bullpen for the Rafters, allowing one run on one hit while striking out five. Davey kept Wisconsin Rapids within striking distance after the sixth-inning outburst and gave the offense a chance to mount its late comeback.

Brennan Baker was charged with the loss after entering in the sixth inning. Baker recorded no outs while allowing three runs and issuing three walks.

Grube delivered an impressive start for Green Bay, allowing two runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings while striking out four. Cord Copley followed with 1 1/3 innings of relief to earn his first victory of the season.

The Rafters will look to bounce back Friday night as they play in their final home game of the season. Wisconsin Rapids will play host to the Fon De Lac Doc Spiders first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. CT.