Showers Dampen Tight Game
Madison, Wis.- It was a wet and wild evening in Madison as the Mallards (25-20, 7-5) won a rain shortened game over the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (17-28, 5-5) by a score of 10-7. With a full count and two down in the bottom of the 8th the heavens opened up and the rain began pouring on Warner Park. By the time the rain subsided the diamond was unplayable and the Mallards went home with the win.
Even though the game ended prematurely Saturday night’s contest did not lack for action. Wisconsin Rapids took a 1-0 lead after one but the Mallards came back with a vengeance in the bottom of the 2nd. Madison would send twelve batters to the plate and score seven runs in a long, prolonged inning. Madison knocked out Rafters’ starter Antonio Gonzales (UC Riverside) after 1.1 innings pitched as the lefty struggled with his control. Four walks in the inning led to Gonzales being removed and the Mallards were able to capitalize.
However, the Rafters would not go away as they came right back with three of their own in the top of the 3rd as Keelin Rasch (Louisiana Monroe) kept up his hot play with a two RBI double. The comeback would be completed in the top of the 5th when the Rafters scored three runs through the rain and knocked out Mallards starter AJ Bogucki (North Carolina). Despite being staked to a 7-1 lead, Bogucki was unable to make it through five innings and qualify for a victory.
The Rafters twice had opportunities in the 6th and 7th innings to take the lead but could not find the key hit. Madison took advantage of their chances in the bottom of the 7th when they loaded the bases with one out. Connor Marabell (Jacksonville) laced a double down the right field line and provided Madison with the advantage they would need.
After the storms came through and the field deemed unplayable the game was called and the Mallards came away with a 10-7 victory. The two teams will finish up their season series tomorrow afternoon with first pitch scheduled at 3:05 pm.
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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.
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