Rafters Return to Athletic Park with 3 Game Win Streak

Wausau, Wis- The Rafters look to improve on their longest winning streak of the year when they head to Wausau for the 3^rd time in four days on Wednesday. Wisconsin Rapids has scored 35 runs in their three game winning streak, and they look to keep swinging the bats today against the Woodchucks. With the win yesterday, the Rafters moved to 3-3 in the 2^nd half and 4^th place in the standings. They’re 18-20 in the overall standings and currently 2.5 games out of the fourth best overall record, which they would need to clinch a postseason berth come August.

Brian Russell (College of Staten Island) will be on the hill today for Wisconsin Rapids. The righty is 1-1 with a 2.85 ERA on the season. He has been especially outstanding in his last three starts, going 20 total innings, allowing only 3 earned runs, and opponents are batting .158 against him in those starts. Anyone who enters the Rafters lineup as of late has been stepping up their play here in this 3 game stretch. Jake Sandlin (Georgia College) has found his stroke from earlier this season and Brock Carpenter (Seattle) remains the most consistent hitter in the Rafters lineup. Players like Dustin Woodcock (SIU-Edwardsville), Zack Domingues (Long Beach State), and Ernie Clement (Virginia) have used their combination of speed and approach at the plate to help facilitate this offense. Having the three table setters hit back to back to back in the lineup has been a real key to the Rafters success.

The Rafters will be heading to Michigan for a four game out of state trip starting tomorrow. First pitch for today’s game will be at 6:35 PM. The Rafters will not return to Witter Field until July 14^thwhen they will face off against the Madison Mallards. Tickets are available for all remaining Rafters home games, call 715-424-5400 or go to www.raftersbaseball.com.

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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 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, 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 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.