
Rafters Roll Rivets for Fifth Straight Win
June 21, 2022 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. - The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, much like this wave of Central Wisconsin heat, are warming right back up. The Rafters continued their historic start tonight, moving to 19-2, as they swept the Rockford Rivets tonight, 3-2.
Unlike many of the Rafters' 19 wins this season, they did not strike first. Rafters starter, Dalton Renne, pitched himself into a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the top of the first. Matthew Mebane hit a sacrifice fly, which drove in the first run of the night, and the Rivets took a 1-0 lead. However, with runners on the corners and only one away, Rafters catcher, Levi Jensen, threw out his first of four Rivets on the basepaths to get out number two. With a runner on third and now two outs, Renne retired Rivets designated hitter, Dylan Robertson, for out number three. Even though this was just the first inning, this proved to be a pivotal moment in the game.
Renne threw scoreless frames in the second and third innings, as he finished his night after three innings allowing three hits on one run while striking out three Rivets. The Rats bats came alive in the bottom of the third, as Brady Jurgella hit an RBI single, and Brendan Bobo hit an RBI sacrifice fly to put the Rafters ahead for their first time tonight, 2-1.
Jacob James came in the game in the top of the fourth for the Rafters, and he continued his dominant season out of the bullpen. He threw a scoreless top half of the fourth, and the Rafters scored their final and third run of the night in the bottom of the fourth inning via Colin Tuft scoring off a wild pitch. James threw another scoreless fifth and was then replaced by Nick Torres with two outs in the sixth. James finished his night after 2.2 scoreless innings pitched, while giving up only one hit, two walks, and struck out three Rivets. James would earn the win.
Nick Torres got the final out of the sixth, threw a scoreless seventh, and a 1-2-3 top of the eighth inning. After a scoreless 2.1 innings pitched, Torres exited after giving up two hits, no walks, and one strikeout. On his 20th birthday, Preston Howey came into the game to close the door in the ninth. After a leadoff double, Howey recorded back-to-back outs. With two outs, Brody Harding hit an RBI single to score the Rivets first run since the first and bring the score to 3-2. Howey then came back strong, as he struck out Rockford's Drew Baker for out number three. Preston Howey received save number six of the year and extended the Rafters Northwoods League Lead in saves to nine.
The Rafters (19-2) play host to the Fond Du Lac Dock Spiders (11-9) tomorrow night at Witter Field at 6:35 pm. Catch all the action with Carter Gledhill on the Northwoods League Baseball Network or on WFHR 1320 AM/97.5 FM with Brett Loftis.
Images from this story
![]() Wisconsin Rapids Rafters catcher Levi Jensen |
Northwoods League Stories from June 21, 2022
- Rox Win Sixth Straight Game, Win 17th Game of the Year - St. Cloud Rox
- Rafters Squash Dock Spiders for Sixth Win a Row - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Rockers Fall on the Road Against Chinooks - Green Bay Rockers
- Kingfish Defeat Battle Jacks in Opener - Kenosha Kingfish
- Woodchucks Fall Behind Early in Loss - Wausau Woodchucks
- Mallards Showcase Dominant Pitching in Victory - Madison Mallards
- Spitters Slug, Snap Growlers' Streak - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Kingfish Pitching Shuts Down Battle Jacks, 6-1 - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
- Kingfish Swept by Growlers - Kenosha Kingfish
- Rockers Conclude Five-Game Road Trip Versus Chinooks - Green Bay Rockers
- Honkers Shutout Huskies to Complete Winning Homestand - Rochester Honkers
- Loggers' Win Streak Snapped in Waterloo; Lose, 9-8 - La Crosse Loggers
- McAdoo's Heroics Snap MoonDogs' Losing Streak at Home against Larks - Mankato MoonDogs
- Mallards Win Total into Double Digits, Win at Fond du Lac - Madison Mallards
- Stingers Give up Runs Late vs Rox, 5-2 - Willmar Stingers
- Rafters Roll Rivets for Fifth Straight Win - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Rox Sweep Willmar Behind Three-Run Rally in the Eighth Inning - St. Cloud Rox
- Mallards Score Early, Dock Spiders Fall 5-2 - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
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