Wisconsin Rapids’ defense shuts out Lakeshore, offense puts up five runs in divisional win

Mequon, Wis. – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (5-7) got a quality start from Nathan Hemmerling and backed it up with a strong offensive showing in a 5-0 win over the Lakeshore Chinooks (3-9).

Wisconsin Rapids got on the board in the top of the first with a pair of runs on an error and a Rich Ciufo sacrifice fly. One inning later, the Rafters extended their lead to 3-0 with an RBI single by Josh Nicoloff. In the third, Rapids tacked on another run as Ciufo scored on a wild pitch.

The Rafters added an insurance run in the seventh on a run scored by Richie Schiekofer to lead 5-0 heading to the eighth inning. Rapids held on to win game four of the series and split the series with divisional opponent Lakeshore.

Hemmerling pitched six shutout innings, giving up just four hits and adding a strikeout to earn the win. Zack Hunsicker pitched an inning and surrendered one hit. Jimmy Borzone closed the game for Wisconsin Rapids with two innings of work.

Lakeshore starter Randon Dauman is credited with the loss in 2.1 innings of work. The Rafters return home for a 4:05 matchup with the Madison Mallards Sunday afternoon, featuring a Fey Printing All-Star card giveaway at Witter Field.

Want to attend a Rafters game this season? Single-game tickets are on sale now. For more information on all Rafters ticket offerings visit Raftersbaseball.com, call the Rafthouse at 715-424-5400, or come visit us over at historic Witter Field. The Rafters ticket office is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday at Witter Field, 521 Lincoln Street in Wisconsin Rapids.

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The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, over 200 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR).  All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit  www.raftersbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rafters as your favorite team.