Northwoods Wisconsin Rapids Rafters

Rafters Crowned Rain-Soaked

Published on June 15, 2012 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release


Wausau, WI - The Woodchucks might have had all the fun before the game, slipping and sliding on the rain-soaked tarp before the Rafters arrived at Athletic Park in Wausau on Thursday, but the Rafters would leave the drenched park with the smiles. In a rain-shortened, seven-inning game, the Rafters bested the Woodchucks 5-3. The win was their second straight after six consecutive losses and first against the Woodchucks away from home since the team's inaugural 2010 season.

The downpour of the afternoon let up enough to allow the game to begin on time Thursday, and the Rafters look advantage of the window. Although the game was shorted by rain, the Rafters did not simply pick a cheap victory. In fact, other than an early season victory against the largely temporary contract-filled La Crosse Loggers, it might have been the most dominating performance of the year for the Rafters, certainly one of the sharpest.

The Rafters outhit the Woodchucks 9-5, committed one less error (3-2), and left on less baserunners (9-7). The Rafters also played from behind once again, showing their continued resiliency.

Wisconsin scored first, putting together two hits and a walk in the second to take a 2-0 lead. The Rafters, as they have done most of the year, however, answered their opponents' runs quicklythis time with two of their own in the top of the third inning to tie it. Pat Kelly (FR, Univ. of Nebraska) knocked in Kenny Towns (FR, Univ. of Virginia), making his Rafters' debut and Sean Godfrey (SO, Ball State Univ.) to tie it up.

Another in the fourth and two in the fifth, including an RBI-single from Josh Cyr (JR, Univ. of North Alabama), extending his hitting streak to seven, gave the Rafters a 5-2 lead.

Ben Heller (JR, Olivet Nazarene Univ.) pitched beautifully Wednesday. Making his third start, the right-hander allowed just four hits and walked only two. Only one of the hits came in the final four innings he threw. He struck out six batters on the evening.

The Woodchucks looked for late inning magic once again but got only one run in the seventh before the tarp ended any eighth or ninth inning chances.

Ronnie Muck (SO, Univ. of Illinois) recorded a couple big outs for the Rafters in seventh, which, after the tarp came on right after his strikeout of Jacob Jelmini, turned out to be the final outs of the game.

Heller (1-0) picked up the win, his first decision in his third start. Pascal Paul (0-1) took the loss after a no-decision in his first outing. Ronnie Muck picked up the surprise, post-facto save (1).

The Rafters (7-9) look for the sweep at home against the Woodchucks (8-8) tomorrow at Witter Field. It is Charter Communications Hat Night at the park. Southpaws will square off when Tommy Organ (0-2, 6.91 ERA) opposes `Chucks lefty Mark Royer (0-0, 0.00 ERA).

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Northwoods League Stories from June 15, 2012


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