By Luc Carter

MADISON, Wis – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters fell just short against the Madison Mallards Monday night by a
final score of 6-4. The Rafters fall to 1-5 on the season, and Madison improves to 4-4. The
Rafters outhit the Mallards 12 to 5 tonight but were still unable to leave the state capital victorious.

Aidan Tomlinson was the Rafters starter tonight. After giving up an earned run on a wild pitch
with a runner on third in the first inning, he turned it on, throwing three consecutive scoreless innings
after that.

The Rafters offense got going in the third inning, striking for three runs on four hits against Mallards
starting pitcher Ryan Johnson. Jax LeGrand had a 2 RBI single to take the lead, and he was
followed by Harrison Engskov, who would also hit an RBI single to extend the Rafters’ lead to 3-1.
Tomlinson’s day would come to an end after getting through the 5th inning, where he would give
up an RBI double to Lane Arroyos, making it 3-2. Tomlinson’s final line was 5 innings pitched,
3 hits allowed, 6 walks, 2 earned runs and 2 strikeouts.

The Mallards would score two more runs in the bottom of the 7th inning on two sacrifice flies,
one from Preston Yaucher and one from Brock Lulewicz, to give them a 4-3 lead.

The Rafters offense would respond in the 8th inning. Pat Costin drew a one out walk and was pinch
run for by David Ketterman. Ketterman was able to move up to 2nd base after a throwing error
on a back-pick attempt by Mallards catcher Aaron Holland. Then, with two outs, Jax LeGrand would
come through clutch with an RBI double to left field to tie the game 4-4.

In the bottom half of the 8th, Braden Wellen took the mound for the Rafters.
Eddie Alonso would draw a leadoff walk and then steal second, putting the go-ahead run in
scoring position.

Dom Jacoby came up to the plate with one out and laced a double into the gap in left-center,
scoring Alonso and putting Madison back on top. Madison would also get an extra
insurance run on a groundout by Jonah Weathers.

Needing two runs in the top of the ninth, the Rafters would be shut down by relief pitcher
Eamonn Mulhern, who would get the final three outs and earn the win.

This was the first game of an eight-game road trip for the Rafters over the next eight days. The Rafters
head to Michigan tomorrow to start a two-game series with the 7-2 Kalamazoo Growlers of the
Great Lakes East division.

Cade Queen is the probable starting pitcher tomorrow for Wisconsin Rapids. First pitch is at 6:35 pm.