Rafters Goes Duck Hunting in 12-6 Win in Madison
A pair of homers and clutch hitting fuels Rats’ in 51st win of 2022
MADISON, Wis. – Duck hunting season in the state of Wisconsin does not start until late September. However, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters did not get the memo, as they beat down the Mallards in Madison tonight, 12-6.
The Rafters were held scoreless in the top of the first, but Wisconsin Rapids starting pitcher, Brandon Scott, also held the Mallards scoreless in the home half. However, the Rats bats got started in the top of the second. A leadoff homer from Andrew Semo, his first of 2022, gave the Rafters a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, a two-out two-run single from McKinley Erves put Wisconsin Rapids ahead 3-0.
Scott fired in another scoreless frame for the Rafters in the bottom of the second. The Rafters added one more in the top of the third inning after a double play brought home Colin Tuft to make it a 4-0 game. The Mallards finally scored off Brandon Scott in the bottom half of the inning via a wild pitch to make it a 4-1 game. Scott finished his night after the third, as he gave up one run on hit, two walks, and struck out four.
One of the biggest innings of the Rafters 2022 came in the top of the fourth inning tonight. A Chase Call bases loaded walk gave the Rats their first run of the inning and pushed the score to 5-1. Two batters later, a two-out three-run double from Jacob Igawa busted it wide open for the Rafters, 8-1. However, Wisconsin Rapids was still not done. A pair of Rafters, Garrett Broussard, and Levi Jensen, were hit by pitches with the bases loaded to give the Rats a 10-1 lead.
Logan Schulfer held the Mallards scoreless in the bottom half of the fourth. However, the bottom of the fifth was a different story. Madison finally came alive at the plate, as they scored three runs to bring them back within six, 10-4.
The Rafters were able to retake an eight-run lead in the top of the sixth. Cael Chatham walloped an opposite field two-run homer, his second of the season, to give the Rafters a 12-4 lead. Cody Urban came into pitch for the Rafters in the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings, while holding the Mallards scoreless in both frames. Urban struck out four across his two frames.
Angel Medina came in the game for the Rafters in the bottom of the eighth. With Medina on the mound, struck out two in the innings while holding Madison off the board. However, Medina gave up two runs in the bottom of the ninth. However, the Rafters were still able to lock up the win with Medina on the mound by a score of 12-6. Logan Schulfer picked up the win for the Rafters, his sixth of the season.
The Rafters (51-12) will again play the Madison Mallards (25-38) tomorrow night at Witter Field. The 2022 Rafters will look to tie the 2017 Wisconsin Rapids Rafters franchise and Northwoods League wins record with a 52nd win. Catch the action on the Northwoods League Baseball Network with Carter Gledhill or on 1320 AM/97.5 FM WFHR with Brett Loftis.
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The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Now in its’ 29th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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, 300 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. 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.
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
