Rafters Lose Close Battle With Rivets, 2-1
Pitching rules in Rockford, as Rats fall to 32-7 overall
ROCKFORD, IL. – After beginning the second half 3-0, the Rafters have finally dropped their first game in the second half. Wisconsin Rapids fell short to the Rockford Rivets at Rivets stadium tonight, 2-1.
The Rafters put two runners in scoring position with two outs in the top of the first via a McKinley Erves double and a Jacob Igawa single. However, they were left stranded there to end the inning. Rafters starter, Cooper Robinson, shut down the Rivets 1-2-3 to end the first. The Rafters again had two runners in scoring position with two outs in the top of second, but again left them stranded to end the inning. Cooper Robinson recorded another scoreless inning in the home half of the second.
After McKinley Erves led off the top half of the third with a double, he advanced to third on a Jacob Igawa groundout. Erves scored on a wild pitch, as he gave the Rafters a 1-0 lead. Robinson retired the Rivets again in the bottom half of the third. However, the Rivets struck in the bottom of the fourth off Robinson via an RBI double off the bat of Tony Lindwedel to tie it up, 1-1. Cooper Robinson ended his night after completing the fourth. He threw four innings while allowing one run on three hits, no walks, and two strikeouts.
Logan Schulfer entered the game to pitch for the Rafters in the bottom half of the fifth. He threw a scoreless inning, but the Rivets got to him in the sixth. A two-out RBI single off the bat of Brandon Bannon to give the RIvets a 2-1 lead. Schulfer threw a scoreless bottom half of the seventh to end his night after three innings. He gave up one run on three hits across three innings, allowed one walk, and had three strikeouts.
Ben Amon made his first appearance as a Rafter in the bottom half of the eighth, as he retired the Rivets in order 1-2-3. The Rafters had a chance in the top of the ninth to extend the game only down by one run. However, they were retired in order by Rivets pitcher, Noah Ruen. Kyle Seebach received the win for Rockford, while Schulfer received his first loss of the season for Wisconsin Rapids. Ruen picked up his second save of the season.
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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. Having completed its’ 28th 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, over 280 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. 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]
