Rafters Look To Win Series Against Bullfrogs Tonight
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – After last night’s game, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (9-20) are one win away from winning this four game series against their rival the Green Bay Bullfrogs (11-17). Last night the Rafters got back to their winning ways as they took down the Bullfrogs in a tightly contested 5-3 game.
Tentatively scheduled to start the game for the Rafters tonight is right hander Zach Jackson (Arkansas, 1-1). Jackson has had electric stuff in his first two starts as he has struck out 19 batters in just 11 innings of work so far this season. The Rafters will look to Jackson to go a little deeper into the ball game than in his previous two starts so that the bullpen can stay rested, something Jason Freeman (Texas A&M) was able to accomplish last night.
Starting for the Bullfrogs tonight will be the right handed throwing Luke Watson (UW-Stevens Point, 1-2). Watson will be appearing in his 11th game with the Bullfrogs, but will be making his very first start of the season. Watson has an ERA of 5.06 and is coming off of a loss in his last outing against the Kenosha Kingfish.
Watson will be dealing with a Rafters lineup that struck early in last night’s ball game as they scored all five of their runs in the first four innings. Erik Payne (Virginia Tech) is coming off of a nice game where he went 2-4 and picked up his first home run and run batted in in over 12 days. Michael Jurgella (St. Cloud State) also had a very good game last night as he went 2-3 with a double and a run scored in the winning effort.
The Rafters travel to Green Bay tonight to finish up the four game series at Joannes Stadium with a 7:05pm first pitch. The Rafters return to Witter Field on Saturday to face their South Division foe the Wisconsin Woodchucks, for a 6:05pm game with gates opening at 5:05pm. Saturday features a Duncan Disability Law First Aid Kit Giveaway.
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The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 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, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award Winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League YouTube Channel. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.
