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Northwoods Wisconsin Rapids Rafters

Rafters Drop Game Two to Woodchucks, 11-1

August 16, 2022 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release


WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. - In what was an elimination game for the Wausau Woodchucks, they answered in a big way in front of a packed-out Witter Field. The best-of-three series is now tied up between the Woodchucks and the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters at 1-1 after an 11-1 win by Wausau.

The Woodchucks got started early in the top of the first, as they took a 1-0 lead on a wild pitch from Rafters starting pitcher Ben Amon. However, the Rafters tied it up in the home half via an RBI single from Jacob Igawa.

With a 1-1 ballgame heading into the top of the second, Wausau started to pour it on. A Drew Stengren two-run homer pushed the Woodchucks back ahead, 3-1. Then, a pair of RBI singles from Chase Hug and Elie Kligman extended the Wausau lead out to 5-1. Amon was done after two innings for the Rafters.

Ethan Peters entered the game in relief for Wisconsin Rapids in the top of the third, as he retired the Woodchucks 1-2-3 in order. However, the Woodchucks added onto their lead in the top half of the fourth via a Chase Hug two-run homer and an RBI single via Jakob Boos. Peters exited the game after the top half of the fourth for the Rafters.

With an 8-1 lead, Wausau did not let up. JJ Almeda entered the game to pitch for the Rafters in the top half of the fifth, as he gave up a three-run homer to Tyler Cox that gave the Woodchucks an 11-1 lead. However, Almeda recovered to hold Wausau scoreless in the top of the sixth inning to end his night.

Liam Alpern came in the game to pitch for Wisconsin Rapids in the top of the seventh, as he held Wausau scoreless in his first inning of work. Nick Marshall, Wausau's starting pitcher, retired the first two batters he faced in the bottom of the seventh and was then removed from the game. He threw 6.2 innings, 106 pitches, allowed one run (unearned) on three hits, and struck out 12 Rafters.

Alpern retired the first two batters he faced in the top of the eighth and was then replaced out of the bullpen by Cael Chatham. He struck out a Woodchuck to end matters in the top half of the eighth, and then Chatham held Wausau scoreless in the top of the ninth to end his outing. The Rafters were sat down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the ninth to end the 11-1 loss. Marshall received the win for the Woodchucks, while Amon received the loss for the Rafters.

The Rafters (1-1) will play host to the Woodchucks (1-1) tomorrow night at Witter Field in a winner take all game three. Catch all the action on ESPN+ with Carter Gledhill and Jake Herman or on 1320 AM/97.5 FM WFHR with Brett Loftis.

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Northwoods League Stories from August 16, 2022


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