Rafters Hold Lakeshore to Three Hits in Series Opening Win
MEQUON, Wis. – The Rafters jumped out to a hot start in their first Sunday matinee game of the summer. Wisconsin Rapids played three runs in the top of the first, with two doubles from Jake Beauchaine and Alex Brodie leading the way.
Lakeshore got a run back in the bottom of the frame after a lead-off single from Prince Deboskie. The knock from the Chinooks’ center fielder was all the host could muster until the eighth inning.
The Chinooks tied the ball game in the bottom of the fifth, scoring twice to make it 3-3.
The Rafters responded half inning later with a four-run top of the sixth. The six through nine spots in the order all came in to score, with Mason Onate getting plunked to break the tie.
Lakeshore added two more in the bottom of the eight, but the Wisconsin Rapids bullpen held onto seal the deal, 7-5.
Tyler McClanahan paced the Rafter offense with three hits, including a seventh-inning double. The two-bagger was the first extra-base knock of McClanahan’s tenure in Wisconsin Rapids.
Tristin Crusenberry got the nod for the Rafters, his second start of the season. The Opening Day starter worked three innings and allowed a run off one hit. Crusenberry walked four and struck out one.
Cohen Achen threw five innings as the starter for Lakeshore. The right-hander allowed two earned runs off five hits and struck out seven Rafter hitters while only walking one.
The win this afternoon was given to Sidney Ferry out of the Wisconsin Rapids bullpen. In his second outing of the season, Ferry worked three frames and allowed two runs, neither of which were earned.
Evan Shapiro got the loss for the Chinooks. The right-hander only recorded one out on the hill but surrendered four runs (three earned) while throwing just 15 pitches.
Max Whitesell collected his Northwoods League-leading fourth save to close out the ballgame. The Ohio Dominican product needed just 13 pitches to retire three of the four batters he saw to put a bow on this one. Whitesell has gotten the save in all four Rafter wins this season.
The Rafters are back in action tomorrow in game two of the series against Lakeshore. 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
****************************************************************
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
**********************************************
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]
