Rafters Leave Rockers Without Any Roll in 3-1 Victory
Schulfer’s three hitless innings carry Rafters to 47th win of 2022
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. – Usually in sports, there are two different types of games: high-scoring events when offenses reign supreme or low-scoring games where defense keeps making stops. Well tonight in Wisconsin Rapids, the Rafters were able to grow victorious in a low-scoring affair against the Green Bay Rockers, 3-1.
Ben Amon, Rafters starting pitcher, held the Rockers scoreless in the top of the first inning. However, the Rafters would also be held scoreless in the bottom half. This trend continued in the second, as the contest was a 0-0 tie after two frames. However, after another scoreless frame toss by Amon in the top half of the third, the Rafters finally struck in the bottom half. Aidan Brewer reached via a leadoff walk to begin the inning. He then advanced to second on a single from McKinley Erves. With Brady Jurgella at the dish, Rockers starter, Aaron Heger, balked twice during the plate appearance. Brewer came home to score to give the Rats a 1-0 lead. A wild pitch then scored Erves from third to make it a 2-0 game. The Rats were not done scoring in the inning, as three batters later Jacob Igawa lined an RBI double into left center to give the Rats a 3-0 lead.
Amon gave up his first and only run in the top of the fourth. J.P. Gauthier hit a two-out solo homer to bring the score to 3-1. Amon’s night was finished after the fourth, as he allowed one run on three hits, one walk, and one strikeout.
Logan Schulfer came into the game to pitch for the Rafters in the top of the fifth, as despite an E5, he held the Rockers scoreless. He would hold Green Bay scoreless in the sixth and seventh as well. Schulfer threw three scoreless and hitless innings while walking one and striking out two Rockers.
Tanner Chafin entered the game to pitch for Wisconsin Rapids in the top of the eighth. Despite two leadoff baserunners, Chafin retired the next three Rockers he faced to end the inning. Preston Howey came on to close the game in the ninth. He got two quick outs, but then gave up back-to-back two out singles. After a balk that put both runners into scoring position, Howey induced a flyout to end the ninth. Schulfer picked up his fifth win of the season, as his record moved to 5-1. Howey earned his 12th save of the 2022, now tied for second in the Northwoods League.
The Rafters (47-12) will travel to Green Bay tomorrow afternoon to face the Rockers (23-35) at 1:05 pm. Catch all the action on the home of Rafters Baseball, 1320 AM/97.5 FM WFHR, with the radio voice of the Rafters, 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]
