Rafters Clutch Hitting in the Eighth Secures Third Straight Victory
LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Rafters fell behind the eight ball early at Copeland Park but hit their stride at the perfect time.
The Loggers got the scoring started in the Monday night showdown with a three-run second inning. In his first at-bat at Copeland Park, shortstop Ryan Kucharek sent a two-run homer over the left field wall. The 2-0 lead for La Crosse became 3-0 after Gable Mitchell singled up the middle with two outs to score Cam Pruitt.
Wisconsin Rapids snagged a run back in the fourth via a Greyson Shafer RBI single. The Rafter first baseman brought home returning outfielder Jorge De Goti, who doubled to lead off the frame.
De Goti would plate the game’s next run in the sixth with a lead-off solo blast to right-center field off Logger relief pitcher, Logan Runde.
Trailing 3-2 entering the eighth, a switch flipped for the Rafters. Miles Vandenhuevel led off the inning by reaching on an error from La Crosse third baseman Gable Mitchell. Trotter Boston then singled through the hole into right field, moving Vandenhuevel from first to third. Jorge De Goti brought Vandenhuevel home in the next plate appearance with a sacrifice fly, knotting the game at three all.
A Max McGwire single put runners on first and second before a walk of Greyson Shafer loaded the bases. Jake Beauchaine played hero for the Rafters with two outs and the bags juiced, lining a base hit up the middle to make it 5-3, the games final score.
Nick Paulsen got the start for Wisconsin Rapids. In his second start and third overall outing of the summer, the left-hander worked three frames. Paulsen allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits. He walked and struck out two while firing 57 pitches.
Tyler Albanese opposed Paulsen for La Crosse. The right-hander from San Jose State hurled five innings in his second outing of the season. He allowed one run on two hits, walked three, and struck out seven.
Jack Weissinger earned the win for the Rafters out of the bullpen. In his first appearance with Wisconsin Rapids, the Pomona Pitzer product threw two scoreless frames and only allowed one hit.
Logan Runde got tabbed with the loss for the Loggers. The right-hander surrendered four runs (three earned) on four hits. He walked one and struck out four on 55 pitches.
The Rafters are back in action tomorrow night on the road. It’s the beginning of a home-and-home series with the Green Bay Rockers at Capital Credit Union Park. First pitch is slated for 6:35, the game can be heard on the radio home of Rafter Baseball, WFHR – 97.5 FM, 1320 AM.
The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 30th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 26 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, over 245 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB All-Star Jordan Zimmermann (DET). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rafters as your favorite team
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2023-24 Area Conference Schedules: Conference and Team Links
Know some top athletic performances? Seeing some great teams in action?
We can use your help, and it’s simple. Witness some great performances? Hear about top athletes and top teams in our area?
Athlete of the Week and Team of the Week:
Nominate an athlete or team: HERE
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Pancakes or Waffles! We feature top area athletes with our world-renowned feature. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE
College Athlete Roundup! We want to recognize student-athletes from the area who are competing at the college level. Send us information on college athletes from the area with our simple form HERE
Where are they Now? We feature athletes and difference makers from the past, standouts in sports who excelled over the years and have moved on. Know of a former athlete, coach, or difference maker who we should feature? Know of a former standout competitor whose journey beyond central Wisconsin sports is one we should share? Send us information on athletes and difference makers of the past with our simple form HERE
Baked or Fried! We also feature difference makers throughout central Wisconsin: coaches, booster club leaders, administration, volunteers, you name it. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE
We welcome your stories! Contact us at [email protected]!
Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
