Northwoods Wisconsin Rapids Rafters

Rafters Look to Sweep Chinooks, Move up in Standings

Published on June 22, 2016 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release


Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. - Concluding a brief two-game home stand, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (12-8) will take the field on Wednesday night against the Lakeshore Chinooks (9-14) looking to complete a mid-week sweep against their South Division counterparts.

As expected, last night's ballgame was characterized by loud arms and quiet bats. After besting the Chinooks in a pitching-centric 2-1 duel last night, the Rafters will look to again win a battle between the two best pitching staffs in the South Division.

Left-handed hurler Gareth Stroh (Coffeyville CC) will toe the rubber for the Rafters, making his fourth start of the young campaign. Stroh, a former temporary contract player, offered back-to-back tremendous outings to begin the summer before struggling through his most recent start against the Madison Mallards at Witter Field on June 15. In four innings on the mound, Stroh was knocked for six runs on 12 hits in route to taking the loss. After dominating opposing hitters through his first two starts, Stroh was tagged for three home runs by the power-hitting Mallards and failed to pitch at least six innings for the first time as a Rafter.

The Chinooks will counter with a southpaw of their own, sending Joe Stoll to the mound for his fourth appearance and first as a stater. The Ohio State product enters play with an 0-1 record and a 4.26 ERA over 6.1 innings. Lakeshore could be poised to turn to their bullpen early in the action on Wednesday night, as Stoll has not thrown more than three innings in any of his three appearances to date.

Tuesday night's victory snapped the Rafters' five-game losing streak against the Chinooks that dated back to the first half of the 2015 season. Additionally, at 12-8 the Rafters currently enjoy their best 20-game start to a season in their seven-year history, improving upon last season's 11-9 mark. Entering play on Wednesday, the Rafters sit alone in second-place, just 1/2 a game behind the Madison Mallards for the top spot in the South Division.

First pitch at Witter Field is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with gates opening to the public at 6:05 p.m.

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