Rafters Runaway Late from Rockers in Record-Tying Win

0
164

Rafters Runaway Late from Rockers in Record-Tying Win

Rats win NWL record-tying 28th first-half win in 9-6 win over Rockers

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters have been flirting with history all season long here in 2022.  However, tonight the Rafters have finally made their way into Northwoods League history.  With their 28th win of the first in the 9-6 victory over the Green Bay Rockers, the Rafters are now tied with the 2012 Mankato Moondogs and the 2018 Madison Mallards with the most wins ever in a Northwoods League first half.

One of the many Rafters aces on the 2022 staff, Xavier Rivas, held the Rockers scoreless in the top half of the first, but the Rats bats were also held scoreless in the bottom half.  However, after another scoreless Rockers top half of the second, a Harry Owen RBI double gave the Rafters a 1-0 lead.  Wisconsin Rapids was 16-1, now 17-1, when scoring first so far in 2022.

Green Bay tied it up in the top of the third with a solo homer off the bat of Griffin Stevens to make the score, 1-1.  However, just as they have all season, the Rats bats answered back in a big way.  Garrett Broussard and Harry Owen drew back-to-back bases loaded walks to make it a 3-1 Rafters lead.  Then, Colin Tuft hit an RBI single to make it 4-1.  Two batters later, Stone Miyao lined a two-run two-out single into the outfield to make a 6-1 Wisconsin Rapids lead.  Xavier Rivas threw a scoreless top half of the fourth inning, including striking out the last two batters he faced, to end his night.  He gave up one run on four hits, while giving up one walk, and striking out four.

Logan Schulfer entered the game to pitch for Wisconsin Rapids in the top half of the fifth, as he gave up one run in each of the fifth and sixth innings to make it a 6-3 game.  However, Stone Miyao rang the Rockers’ bell in the bottom half of the sixth, as he launched a solo homer, his first of the year, to make it a 7-3 Rafters lead.  Schulfer gave up one more run in the seventh, and then his night was complete.  He gave up three runs on three Rocker hits, allowed four walks, and struck out two.

Tanner Chafin entered the game to pitch for the Rats in the eighth, and the Rockers started to bop.  Two runs came across for the Rockers in the top half of the eighth to bring them within one, 7-6. However, the Rafters got both runs back off a pair of RBI from Brady Jurgella and Brendan Bobo put the Rafters back up by three, 9-6.  Alec Burnett came into to close game for the Rockers.  He struck out the first two Rockers he faced, and then caught a popup for out number three.  Burnett earned his second save of 2022, and Logan Schulfer his fourth win.

*************************************************

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 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, adminstration, 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]!

David Keech
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]