Rats Drop 8-3 game
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.-After a long ride home from Canada, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (23-42, 11-19) dropped an 8-3 game to the Green Bay Bullfrogs (32-32, 15-14).
Wisconsin Rapids got the scoring going early as they put three runs on the board in the bottom of the 1st highlighted by a Clark Eagan (Arkansas) RBI double that one hopped the left field fence. After throwing thirty pitches in that frame, it looked like starter Mike Ellenbest (Saginaw Valley State) would be long for the contest but he was able to bear down and last five innings while only allowing the three runs.
Rafters’ starter Chip Rosales (Valley City State) looked to be cruising before he ran into trouble beginning in the top of the 4th. The very first pitch he threw to Brain Celsi (California) was a line drive home run that changed the course of the game. Green Bay would score one more run in the inning before making their move in the top of the 5th.
The Bullfrogs would send ten batters to the plate and score four runs on three hits. They would be aided by two Rafters’ errors and knocked Rosales out after 4.1 innings pitched. Once again it was Celsi with the big blow as his RBI double tied the game up and was one of three RBIs on the night for the right fielder.
Wisconsin Rapids’ bats were held silent the rest of the game by three ‘Frog’s relievers as the bullpen locked down the victory for Ellenbest. The two teams will go at it again tomorrow at Green Bay’s Joannes Stadium with first pitch slated for 5:05 pm central. Wisconsin Rapids will return to historic Witter Field Monday, August 4th for Rapids Has Talent Night at the ballpark.
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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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