Both teams combined for 25 hits
Madison, WI- The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (22-22) lose by one run in a back-and-forth Tuesday night matchup at Warner Park against the Madison Mallards (21-20) by the score of 7-6.
The Mallards hit three home runs, including a walk-off two-run home run.
The first long ball came in the first inning, a two-run shot from Drake Baldwin. Wisconsin Rapids responded in the second with two RBI singles, one from EJ Exposito (Long Island) and the other from Weston Eberly (Columbia) to tie up the game.
Rafters’ starter Jack Gonzales (Dixie State) bounced back for a clean third but allowed two runs on three hits in the fourth. Gonzales allowed only one baserunner in his fifth and final inning.
A second homer was added by Madison in the sixth, a solo blast from Michael Fuhrman.
Down 5-2, Wisconsin Rapids loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the seventh. Exposito elevated a ball high in the air towards left-center, it was misjudged by the Mallards outfield and dropped. All runners were going, and the score was knotted up. Exposito was brought home after Jacob Hinderleider (Davidson), struck a double to right field, and the Rafters took a 6-5 lead in a four-run inning.
The next two innings saw the tying run in scoring position for Madison. Nick Torres (Long Island) ended the threat in both instances.
The Mallards brought up the top of the lineup in the ninth, while the Rafters put in closer Brayden Bonner (Dixie State). Bonner looking for his sixth save of the season, allowed a single and then the game-winning home run to Alex Iadisernia.
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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]
