
Stunner at Home: Rafters Fall to Madison 6-2
June 7, 2024 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. - Devastation and disappointment.
With closer Max Whitesell on the mound to preserve a tie game in the ninth, pinch hitter David Whittle launched a grand slam to propel the Madison Mallards to a 6-2 win and crush the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters' hope of a victory back at Witter Field.
The Rafters held a 2-1 lead for five innings after Miles Vandenheuvel ripped a two-run shot in the bottom of the third, which gave them the lead after Madison leadoff hitter Charlie Marion knocked a solo homer in the top of the inning.
Things quieted down after that, with both teams trading zeroes on the scoreboard. Brandon Scott took the baton from Rafters' starter Ricky Williams and spun three scoreless. Madison starter Coley Kilpatrick tossed five strong of his own allowing just two runs, and was followed with scoreless ball from Aidan Arbaugh and Holden Harris.
But then in the 8th, new Rafter Juan Berrios walked three and allowed two fielder's choice groundouts which tied up the game at two.
Things fell apart quickly after that.
Whitesell walked two and hit one, then served up the grand slam in the ninth. The four runs that crossed were the first that he gave up all season.
On the bright side for the Rafters, Williams looked sharp in his second start, with just one run allowed through three innings. Also, the defense was stellar, with middle infielders Kyler McIntosh and Trotter Boston trading dazzling plays throughout the game.
The loss continues a rough stretch for Wisconsin Rapids. They've now lost five of their last six, and three straight against Madison. They are back in action tomorrow at home for game two of the series. First pitch is slated for 6:35, with Khalin Kapoor on the call on the Northwoods League sports network and Andy Jachim on WFHR - 97.5 FM, 1320 AM.
• Discuss this story on the Northwoods League message board...
Northwoods League Stories from June 7, 2024
- Dock Spiders Drop Game One Against Battle Creek, 15-7 - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
- Chinooks Beat Division-Leading Woodchucks 3-2 for 1st Home Win - Lakeshore Chinooks
- Larks Dominate in All Facets, Take Game One from Minnesota 8-2 - Bismarck Larks
- Rockers Drop a Close Defensive Battle to the Loggers - Green Bay Rockers
- Offensive Fireworks Not Present for Huskies in 9-1 Defeat vs Thunder Bay - Duluth Huskies
- Whittle Hits Pinch-Hit Grand Slam, Madison Mallards Win Fourth Straight - Madison Mallards
- Kingfish Snap 3-Game Skid over Division Leader 7-1 - Kenosha Kingfish
- Rockford Rivets Secure Thrilling Victory Over Royal Oak Leprechauns - Rockford Rivets
- Stingers Lose 10-4 - Willmar Stingers
- Growlers Score Seven Unanswered to Win Third Straight Against Jackrabbits - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Stunner at Home: Rafters Fall to Madison 6-2 - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Bombs Away: Long Ball Leads the Way to 10-4 Win - Eau Claire Express
- The Woodchucks Lose a Close Game in Lakeshore 3-2 - Wausau Woodchucks
- Pit Spitters Drop Their Second in a Row - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Larks Win on the Road 9-6, Taking Five out of Six from the Hot Tots - Bismarck Larks
- Rockers Return Home for Game 3 against Loggers - Green Bay Rockers
- SERIES Preview: Series at the Top of the Division Shifts to the Wade for Two - Duluth Huskies
- Over 240 Northwoods League Players Earn 2024 All-Conference Honors in Division 1 - Northwoods
- Two-Run First Inning Blast Pushes Growlers Past Jackrabbits - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Dock Spiders Hand Woodchucks First Loss in Walk off Fashion, 4-3 - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
- Rafters' Seventh Inning Rally Not Enough in Second Consecutive Game with Madison - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Hauge and Higdon Homer as Rox End Road Trip with Loss - St. Cloud Rox
- Rochester Battles, But Falls to Eau Claire - Rochester Honkers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Wisconsin Rapids Rafters Stories
- The Scrappy Rats Erupt Late, Defeat Green Bay 8-6 at Home
- Rafters Drop Midweek Clash with Dock Spiders on Account of Two Big Innings
- Rafters Finish Regular Season Slate in Wausau with 9-4 Victory
- Rafters Outlast Madison in 3-1 Win
- Witter Field Set to be the Place Where Community Comes Together to Celebrate Heroes

