Northwoods Wisconsin Rapids Rafters

Ditman Baffles Rafters as Woodchucks Shutout Wisconsin Rapids, 12-0

Published on July 17, 2013 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release


Wisconsin Rapids, WI- Matt Ditman was the story Wednesday night as the Wisconsin Woodchucks (22-27, 9-6) starter threw his first complete game shutout of the season against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (24-25, 5-10) in an easy 12-0 victory at Witter Field that last a speedy two hours and 20 minutes. Ditman needed just 97 pitches and scattered eight base hits throughout the night to navigate through a Rafters offensive attack that combined to slug 18 hits the night before, and plating 16 runs against the Green Bay Bullforgs. The complete game shutout was the Woodchucks first since Adam Kramer threw five scoreless frames in a rain-shortened ballgame in July 2012 against the Madison Mallards.

The Woodchucks set the tone early as Wisconsin got to the Rafters starter, John Kravetz, early in the ballgame by tagging the Illinois prospect for five early runs. Tyler Steib set the pace as the Woodchucks centerfielder led the game off with a double down the right field line. Steib would come around on a single by Jake Jefferies to score the games first run and give the Woodchucks an early lead, 1-0.

Levi Meyer, Austin Diemer, and Brandon Kreig all reached to begin the second as Kravetz faced seven batters before two big runs came across on an RBI double down the left field line by Steib to extend the Woodchucks lead, 3-0.

Kravetz settled into a groove after the third as he retired six-straight batters wwhile striking out four batters in that time frame. The four strikeouts were part of a six strikeout performance for Kravetz.

Leading, 5-0, the Woodchucks put the game out of reach in the sixth inning when five of the first six batters of the inning reached on well-struck base hits to effectively knock Kravetz out of the game after 5 2/3 innings pitched. The start by Kravetz was his shortest of the season and just the third time the Lansing, Ill. Native failed to give the Rafters at least six strong innings of work. The short out comes on the heels of his longest game of the year when Kravetz went 7 2/3 against the Eau Claire Express on July 12.

Charlie Curl and Robbie Coman were the lone bright spots offensively for the Rafters as the two combined for five of the Rafters eight base hits on the evening. The three-hit game for Curl was just his second of the season as he reached in all three of his at-bats.

Ditman's shutout was the first time this season that Wisconsin Rapids failed to scratch across a run and dropped the Rafters to one game below the .500 mark on the season. The Rafters have not won back-to-back game since June 29-30 against the La Crosse Loggers.

The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters will continue a three-game home stand Thursday night at Witter Field when the Rafters host the Wisconsin Woodchucks for the second of a three-game series. The Rafters have claimed seven of the first eight meetings between the two clubs with the last coming in the form of an 8-7 June 20 at Athletic Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Witter Field and fans can listen to Thursday night's broadcast by tuning into the leagues YouTube channel or to the radio broadcast on WFHR AM 1320.

The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are members of the 16-team summer collegiate Northwoods League. The Rafters will play a 70 game schedule with 35 home games in 2013. Available quantities of all promotional giveaways will vary from event to event and will be available on a first come, first serve basis.  The best way to guarantee giveaway items is to purchase a 9-Game Package.  The offseason office hours are Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm.  For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.

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Northwoods League Stories from July 17, 2013


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