Wisconsin Rapids will conclude the road trip with a two-game weekend series against Wisconsin
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – After a deflating 5-2 loss to the Dock Spiders last night, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (13-10) will look to rebound against the Wisconsin Woodchucks (6-18). The Rafters have won all four previous meetings with the Woodchucks this season.
Last night, the Rafters were locked in another tight game with the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders. The Rafters struck first in the first with an RBI single from Jack-Thomas Wold (UNLV). Wold’s bat has been crucial for the cranberry and gold. In his last five games, Wold is 6-of-18 with four RBI. The Dock Spiders tied it up with a run of their own in the first and took the lead in fifth scoring twice on three consecutive hits. The Rafters came within one run, 3-2, in their eighth frame thanks to an RBI single from Bret Fehr (SIU Edwardsville). A half inning later, the Dock Spiders scored two runs on an error to take a 5-2 lead and held on for the win.
Tonight, the Rafters visit Athletic Park for the first time since May 31st which concluded the season-opening, three-game road trip. The cranberry and gold won the game back in May 8-4. Steven Rivas (Long Beach State) nailed a three-run double to center field to blow it open for the Rafters.
The Rafters will go with Josh Winkler (0-0, 1.28 ERA) in his first start for Wisconsin Rapids. Winkler has made three bullpen appearances thus far. In 7.0 innings out of the pen, Winkler has allowed one run on seven hits, walked four and fanned three.
Taking the hill for the Woodchucks will be Orsen Josephina (1-1, 1.35 ERA). This is Josephina’s second start opposite the Rafters. The righty started the game on June 10th at Witter Field. In that game, Josephina allowed a bomb from Brody Wofford over the video board in right field but nothing else. The Rafters won 1-0 to give Josephina his first loss of the year. However, Josephina is coming off his first win of the season in a start against the Rivets on June 16th. The junior put forth his second quality start of the year (6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 K).
First pitch from Athletic Park is penciled in for 6:35 pm CT.
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The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Now in its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 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, 190 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rafters as your favorite team.
