Rafters Host the Woodchucks in Home Opener Bash
June 1, 2018 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. - The Rafters handily got the win last night at Athletic Park. The cranberry and gold's 8-4 win over the Woodchucks moves them to 2-1 on the season with a two-game win streak. After a three-day road trip, the Rafters look to sweep the Woodchucks with a win in their home opener at Witter Field.
The hot bat for the Rafters comes from Mitch Mallek (St. Cloud State). Last night against the Woodchucks, Mallek went 3-4 with two runs and a double. Mallek has a .364 batting average after three games.
Bobby Dorta (Millersville) earned his first Rafters win last night. Dorta pitched 4.0 innings allowing only three hits and striking out three. Dorta is a utility player who batted as a designated hitter in the season opener at the Madison Mallards on May 29.
On the mound tonight for the Rafters is Ryan Byrd (SIU-Edwardsville). Tonight, will be Byrd's debut for the Rafters but not in the Northwoods League as he played for the Bismarck Larks last summer. In his junior year at SIU-Edwardsville, Byrd has 40 strikeouts to 27 walks, averaging 6.24 strikeouts per nine innings.
Pitching for the Woodchucks is Brett Wicklund (Heartland CC). Tonight, will be Wicklund's debut in the Northwoods League. In his freshman season, he pitched 70.2 innings and had a 10-1 record with 50 strikeouts.
The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are home again tomorrow against Big Top Baseball rival, the Green Bay Bullfrogs. Saturday's game will celebrate 2017 Field Manager of the Year: Craig Noto and the Northwoods League Record 52-win season by a bobblehead giveaway. The entire 2018 Rafters schedule is available at www.raftersbaseball.com.
Northwoods League Stories from June 1, 2018
- Stingers Beat Border Cats 7-2 - Willmar Stingers
- Rox Come up Short in Front of Sellout Crowd - St. Cloud Rox
- Honkers Walk-Off Winners - Rochester Honkers
- Bucks Fall to Rochester, 5-4 - Waterloo Bucks
- Woodchucks Drop Close Battle with Rafters - Wausau Woodchucks
- Dock Spiders Win in Walk off Fashion over Rockford 2-1 - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
- Huskies Come up Short in Back-And-Forth Battle - Duluth Huskies
- Rafters Host the Woodchucks in Home Opener Bash - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Mallards Fall to Bullfrogs in 9-6 Slugfest - Madison Mallards
- Frogs Earn First Triumph of 2018 over Mallards - Green Bay Rockers
- Loggers One-Hit Express to Move to 3-0 - La Crosse Loggers
- Rain Gets the Best of the Huskies and the Larks - Duluth Huskies
- Rox Beat MoonDogs 5-4, Return for Home Opener Friday - St. Cloud Rox
- Rafters Clinch Winning Road Trip with 8-4 Win over Woodchucks - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
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- The Scrappy Rats Erupt Late, Defeat Green Bay 8-6 at Home
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- Rafters Finish Regular Season Slate in Wausau with 9-4 Victory
- Rafters Outlast Madison in 3-1 Win
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