Wisconsin Rapids went 4-0 against the Growlers this season

Wisconsin Rapids, WI – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (30-32) earned 13 hits and 14 walks, winning 17-2 over the Kalamazoo Growlers (23-39) on a balmy Wednesday evening at Witter Field.

The Rafters had four multi-run innings, starting in the first. Marco Castillo (Claremont McKenna) singled to start the scoring onslaught. Cael Chatham (LaGrange) began his four RBI evening with his first career Rafter hit, a two-run double.

Wisconsin Rapids put up 12 combined runs in the sixth through eighth innings. In the sixth, Kyle Teel (Virginia) blasted an RBI double off the right-center field wall, and Castillo brought home his second run with a double. The third run was Chatnam’s fourth RBI on a single.

The bottom of the seventh was the Rafters biggest inning. Three walks and two hits brought Wisconsin Rapids to double digits. Lance Gardiner (Saddleback) totaled four RBI and struck a two-run double into left field.

The eighth inning, saw five consecutive singles, resulting in four Rafters runs. Angelo D’Acunto (Holy Cross) accumulated his 12th RBI of the season on a base hit down the left-field line. It was his final game of 2021, completing his second year in Wisconsin Rapids.

“Rapids have the best fans in the Northwoods,” said D’Acunto. “I take pride in everything I do on this field because I know the fans care about what we do on the field.”

Cole Eigenhuis (Sacramento City CC) had his longest start of the season, finishing five innings, with five strikeouts and allowing only one earned run.

Caden Favors (Wichita State) and Zack Bennett (Central Florida), both threw two scoreless innings after appearing in yesterday’s Major League Dream Showcase.

The Rafters head to Ashwaubenon to play the Green Bay Booyah tomorrow Thursday August 5th. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m., with coverage on WFHR AM 1320.

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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 proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 27^th season, 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 250 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB Gold Glove finalist and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. 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