Rafters Look for Sweep of Growlers

Published on June 19, 2016 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release

Kalamazoo, Mich. - With a trio of victories over the Kalamazoo Growlers (10-9) already secure, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (11-7) conclude their four-game set with the Growlers on Sunday afternoon. For the second consecutive ballgame, the Rafters turn to a left-handed starting pitcher in an effort to quiet the Growler lineup. After Cal Giese (St. Cloud State) carved up Kalamazoo for five shutout innings last night, the Rafters will hand the ball to Jake Repavich (Grand Canyon) for his first start of the summer.

The Rafters, winners in four of their last five games, look to sweep the Growlers in a split four-game series for the first time in franchise history. Repavich will be met by fellow left-hander Jacob Piechota, making his first start for the Growlers. The Rafters look to continue their success against left-handed starting pitchers, as they enter the afternoon with an unblemished 4-0 record against left-handed starters.

After a 75 inning home run drought for the Rafters that stretched from June 8 to June 17, the Rafters flashed their power last night in a 6-3 victory over the Growlers. Joey Morgan (Washington) and Ben Fisher (Eastern Kentucky) each unloaded home runs, pacing the Rafter lineup in Saturday night's action. Sunday afternoon offers them another opportunity to rekindle their early-season power surge.

Through three games, the Rafters have limited Kalamazoo base runners to just two stolen bases, which is a tremendous feat, considering that the Growlers had stolen a league-best 35 bases in their previous 16 games.

First pitch from Homer Stryker Field is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on WFHR 1320 AM.

Northwoods League Stories from June 19, 2016

• Kingfish Finish off Loggers in Back-And-Forth Contest - Kenosha Kingfish
• Late Offense Not Enough as Mallards Fall to Bullfrogs - Madison Mallards
• Bullfrogs Dominate Mallards 9-2 - Green Bay Rockers
• Bucks Edge Past Border Cats, 9-8, in Series Finale - Waterloo Bucks
• Rafters Fall to Growlers in Wild Finish - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
• Minjarez Flirts with No-No, Bullpen Stumbles as Bombers Fall 7-6 to Rockford - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
• In Good Hans: Hanson, Offensive Outburst Give Stingers Sweep of Honkers - Willmar Stingers
• Battle Creek Bombers Fall to the Rockford Rivets, 7-6 - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
• 'Chucks Win in Extra Innings - Wausau Woodchucks
• Honkers Drop Afternoon Game to Willmar - Rochester Honkers
• Mallards Look for Fifth Straight Win - Madison Mallards
• Rox Win Sixth Straight Game - St. Cloud Rox
• Rafters Look for Sweep of Growlers - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
• Rafters Use Power and Pitching to Beat Growlers - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
• Stingers Score Early, Top Honkers 8-3 - Willmar Stingers

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