
Rafters Walk-Off Winners in Final Game of Regular Season
August 21, 2020 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. - The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (35-11) went back and forth with the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders (31-16) in the final game of the regular season on Thursday. The battle between the top two teams in the Wisconsin-Illinois Pod ended with Wisconsin Rapids extending their winning streak to five with a narrow 9-8 win in eleven innings.
Wisconsin Rapids struck for runs in each of the first seven innings, to keep the offense hot after Wednesday's 11-2 win. Andy Garriola drove in a run in the first on a fielder's choice. In the second, the Rafters went up 2-0 on an error by Fond du Lac. In the third, Jacob Hinderleider singled in a run. The fourth inning saw Wisconsin Rapids scoring on an Andy Garriola single. In the fifth, the Rafters kept chipping away with another run. After the Rafters brought one more home in the sixth, Andy Garriola once again provided a spark. Garriola slammed a two-run home run over the left-field fence to tie the game at eight.
With the game tied at eight, pitchers began to duel. Billy Black pitched from the seventh to the eleventh, allowing no hits and striking out four in his best outing of the season. The Rafters were held scoreless from the eighth until the eleventh. In the second extra inning, the Rafters loaded the bases. Hank Zeisler took four straight balls from Jared Jones and walked the game off.
The Rafters improved the 35-11, the best record in Rafters history by winning percentage. Wisconsin-Illinois Pod playoffs begin tomorrow at Witter Field. The Rafters face off against the La Crosse Loggers. First pitch between the Rafters and the Loggers is at 6:35pm. Coverage begins at 6:20pm on AM 1320 WFHR and on the Northwoods League Baseball Network at 6:30pm.
Northwoods League Stories from August 21, 2020
- Moose Come up Clutch in 3-2 Win - Bismarck Bull Moose
- Loggers Advance to WI/IL Pod Championship with 1-0 Win against Rafters - La Crosse Loggers
- Kingfish Defeat Bobbers 18-0 in Record Setting Night - Kenosha Kingfish
- Kym Lifts Spitters to Victory - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Tickets Available for Education Week - Bismarck Larks
- Rafters Face off against La Crosse Loggers in Playoff Opener - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Green Bay Heads to Fond du Lac for First Playoff Game Since 2015 - Green Bay Rockers
- The NWL Playoffs Start Tonight - La Crosse Loggers
- Rafters Walk-Off Winners in Final Game of Regular Season - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Rox Finish Season with 27-13 Record - St. Cloud Rox
- Woodchucks Sweep Loggers, End Season Strong - Wausau Woodchucks
- Stingers Cap off 2020 with Win over St. Cloud - Willmar Stingers
- MoonDogs Finish Season on Losing Streak After Facing Bucks Thursday - Mankato MoonDogs
- Wesselmann Fans 14 in 5-3 Win - Bismarck Bull Moose
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