Rats Drop Final Game of 1st Half

Published on June 30, 2014 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.- The first half of the Northwoods League ended in dubious fashion for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (12-23) as they suffered a 12-4 defeat at the hands of the Eau Claire Express (15-18).

Zach Jackson (Arkansas) started the game for the Rafters and was rolling from the start. Jackson retired the first seven batters he faced but then had issues with his control. He would walk the seven and eight hitters before giving up a sacrifice fly in the top of the 3rd. Accuracy problems would plague Jackson again in the 4th when he walked Peter Van Gansen (Cal Poly) with the bases loaded to put the Express up 2-0.

The Rafters would storm back in the bottom of the 5th with four runs as they took advantage of some sloppy Eau Claire defense. William Elliott (Alabama) picked up an RBI single but was able to advance to third after a throwing error was committed while trying to throw out Kirby McGuire (New Mexico) at the plate.

After Jackson left after his 6 innings of work, the Express went to work taking advantage of a tired Rafters bullpen. An eight run top of the 7th put enough distance between the two teams as Eau Claire was able to cruise to victory on the final day of the first half.

Wisconsin Rapids will have the day off on Tuesday before taking on their regional rivals from Wausau, the Wisconsin Woodchucks, this upcoming Wednesday. That will preface an eight game home stand at historic Witter Field from the 3rd to the 10th.

Northwoods League Stories from June 30, 2014

• Rats Drop Final Game of 1st Half - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
• Mallards Sweep Loggers in Game Two of Doubleheader - Madison Mallards
• Rox Finish First Half with Victory over MoonDogs - St. Cloud Rox
• Handelsman Wins 600th Game, Bullfrogs Sweep Woodchucks - Green Bay Rockers
• Woodchucks Come up Short in First Half Finale - Wausau Woodchucks
• Kingfish Fall in Game One, Second Game Cancelled of Doubleheader - Kenosha Kingfish
• Honekrs Drop Final Game of the First Half, 6-5 - Rochester Honkers
• Rafters Trail in Suspended Game - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
• Rain Postpones Monday's Bucks-Honkers Evening Tilt - Waterloo Bucks
• Rox Fall to MoonDogs in Game One of Monday Doubleheader - St. Cloud Rox
• Express/Rafters Suspended - Eau Claire Express
• Bullfrogs Score Fifteen Runs to Win Game One of Doubleheader - Green Bay Rockers
• Bullfrogs' big innings doom Woodchucks as Green Bay takes Game One, 15-6 - Wausau Woodchucks
• Sharp Is Sharp in Win over Loggers - Madison Mallards
• Growlers Trounce Crosstown Rival Bombers 10-3 - Kalamazoo Growlers
• Rafters Seek to End First Half on Hot Streak - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
• Dunning Named NWL Pitcher of the Night - Waterloo Bucks
• Mallards Close out First Half with Split Doubleheader against Loggers - Madison Mallards
• Bullfrogs Close out First Half with Two against Woodchucks - Green Bay Rockers

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