Northwoods Wisconsin Rapids Rafters

Rafters Roll into First Behind 100,000th Fan

June 7, 2012 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release


Wisconsin Rapids, WI - June 6, 2012 - A new day, a new foe, and a new first. After the Rafters moved to 4-3 and a winning mark for the first time ever Tuesday night, Wednesday night a first in a different formfirst place. The Rafters took sole possession of first place with an 8-6 win over the Wisconsin Woodchucks, in front of the largest crowd in Wisconsin Rapids of the year, sending home 1,821 happy fans.

Cam Seidl (JR, UW-Stevens Point) took the mound for the Rafters for the second time this season, and the Woodchucks struck quickly. An RBI-single from Brian Smith, who extended his hitting streak to eight games Wednesday, scored Brendan Hayden (FR, Virginia Tech) to give the `Chucks the 1-0 lead in the first. Another in the second dropped the Rafters into a swift yet brief 2-0 deficit when Brooks Braga knocked in his second RBI of the campaign.

The Rafters, resilient thus far in 2012, answered in the bottom half of the second frame. Back-to-back doubles by Brandon Hohl (JR, Univ. of Illinois), and Alex Bacon (SO, Univ. of North Florida) cut the lead in half. Nic Barnes (FR, UW-La Crosse) found his first RBI of the season, grounding out to score Bacon two batters later.

Seidl settled in a bit, but scoreless innings 3,4, and 5 were met with a blast to start the sixth. Chevas Numata muscled out his third homer of the season to re-take the lead for the Woodchucks. Four batters later and a pitching change later, the score was 4-2, as Greg Hamrock knocked in Mike Bernal.

The Rafters answered with two of their own in the home half as Alex Bacon and Josh Cyr (Univ. of North Alabama) both came around to score to tie things up. The seventh would be the big inning Wednesday night. In his fourth inning of work, the Woodchucks Jordan Jess would get pummeled. The first six batters would reach. Jess walked two in the inning, both came with the bases loaded, gave up four hits, and his defense chalked up their fourth error, as four Rafters came across to make it an 8-4 game.

Two runs scored for the Woodchucks off the ledger of Tommy Danczyk (2-0) (SO, St. Thomas Univ.), who picked up his second win in two nights despite getting one out for the Rafters

allowing two runs on a hit batter and two walks. Two big strikeouts and a pop-out in fall ground from Skyler Debilzen (JR, UW-La Crosse) got the Rafters out of the eighth, and shutdown ninth from Seth Fuller (FR, Western Illinois Univ.) gave the Rafters the 8-6 win and first place atop the NWL South Division standings.

"It's exciting news, but it's a long a season, and we have a lot of work to do," said Jake Martin when finding out his team, 5-3 overall, has the best record in the South.

Bacon had a great night, going 3-for-4 with a double, two runs, and two RBIs. Pat Kelly (FR, Univ. of Nebraska) went two-for-three, drawing two walks, and scoring twice.

The loss went to Jordan Jess (1-2), who picks up his third decision in the young season.

The Rafters play in Wausau against the Woodchucks for two more before returning home to play Lakeshore Saturday and Sunday.

The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are members of the 16-team summer collegiate Northwoods League. The Rafters will play a 70 game schedule with 35 home games in 2012. Reserve your 2012 ticket packages today by calling 715-424-5400, or in person by stopping by the Rafters office at historic Witter Field. Available quantities of all promotional giveaways will vary from event to event and will be available on a first come, first serve basis. The best way to guarantee giveaway items is to purchase a 9-Game Package. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.



Northwoods League Stories from June 7, 2012


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