Ashwaubenon, Wis. – Home runs were the storyline yet again at Capital Credit Union Park as the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (9-23) took down the Green Bay Rockers (17-15) behind three dingers 12-8. The Rafters led 11-0 halfway through and although the Rockers stormed back to make it closer, Wisconsin Rapids saw a strong finish from reliever Seth Spencer to close it out. Rafters starter Tristin Crusenberry (2-5) went five innings allowing three runs while Landon Gaz hit two of Wisconsin Rapids’ three homers, including a grand slam, as part of the big win.

Madden Ocko got the offense started for the Rafters, slapping an RBI off Rockers starter KJ Ward (2-1) in the top of the first to give Wisconsin Rapids a 1-0 lead.

That lead became 2-0 in the top of the second thanks to a sacrifice fly from Rafters’ Mike Maanum off Green Bay’s Ward.

Another couple of runs came across in the top of the third for the Rafters, this time on a two-run homer from Wisconsin Rapids’ Gaz off Rockers’ Ward, making it 4-0 on Gaz’s first splash of the game.

The Rafters offense then exploded in the fourth inning, plating six runs to extend the lead to 10-0. It began with Wisconsin Rapids’ Jake Beauchaine drawing a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch before Ocko walked. Rafters’ Gaz capped off the inning with a grand slam off Green Bay reliever Luke Higgins, Wisconsin Rapids’ second grand slam of the year and week and Gaz’s second homer of the game.

Kerim Orucevic scorched the Rafters’ third homer of the game in the top of the fifth, a solo shot off Green Bay’s Zach Dohrmann to make it 11-0. The homer was Orucevic’s third of the season, all of which have been in Green Bay.

The Rockers finally got on the board in the bottom of the fifth, cutting the deficit to 11-3 on a three-run homer from Jeremy Delamota off Wisconsin Rapids’ Tristin Crusenberry.

In the top of the sixth, the Rafters scored once more on an RBI double from River Lindsey off Green Bay’s Dohrmann, putting Wisconsin Rapids up 12-3.

Tristin Crusenberry came out of the game at the start of the sixth, handing it off to Jackson Phillipp who struggled to limit runs in his appearance. Eric Jeon laced a three-RBI triple to center field that caused a collision between outfielders, and a sacrifice fly sent Jeon home in the bottom of the sixth to make it 12-7.

The Rockers snuck across one more run in the bottom of the seventh on Wisconsin Rapids’ Phillipp thanks to another sac fly, but Spencer checked into the game after that and struck out the only batter he saw.

Even though the Rafters offense was shut down at the end of the game, Wisconsin Rapids’ Spencer twirled a shutout eighth and ninth to finish the night.

That was the final time the Rafters would play against the Rockers this season, bringing their record to 4-2 in Ashwaubenon. The Rafters will return to Wisconsin Rapids for their next matchup, hosting the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders for the final home game of the season on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. and the game will be broadcast for video on ESPN+ and for radio on WFHR 97.5 FM/1320 AM.