For the City Times

After a rain delay, the Rafters offense scored three runs to beat Fond du Lac

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – In a back and forth game, Wisconsin Rapids (9-1) completed a comeback win against Fond du Lac 8-5 (3-7) in a rain delayed game from Herr-Baker Field on Thursday night.

The Rafters started the scoring in the top of the second when Jake Guenther drove in Bryson Stott in on an RBI single. The Dock Spiders evened the game in the bottom of the inning when Nick Fortes drilled a solo home-run off Rafters starter Sam Carver. The pitching staff for both teams held strong until the bottom of the fifth when the Dock Spiders took the lead for the first time.

Luke Mangeri and Orynn Veillon singled in back-to-back at-bats to get the inning started. Against Eric Gilgenbach, the pitch was thrown past him in the batter’s box to score the go ahead run for Fond du Lac. Gilgenbach then drove a two-run home-run to give the Dock Spiders a 4-1 lead after six innings.

Wisconsin Rapids wasted no time in tying the game. In the top of the seventh, Guenther walked to start off the inning and was followed by a Josh Rehwaldt pinch-hit single. Nick Owens then singed to load the bases with Christian Jones coming to the plate. Jones was hit by a pitch to score a run to pull the Rafters within 4-2. Dustin Woodcock laced a two-RBI single to tie the game at 4-4.

The Dock Spiders put another on the board in the bottom of the inning to take the lead back from the Rafters. Carson Bartels singled in a run to push Fond du Lac ahead entering the top of the eighth.

Scott Kapers led the inning off with a single against new pitcher Taylor Purus. Guenther followed and was hit by a pitch. Matt Schmidt reached on an error to load the bases for Mitch Mallek. Mallek popped a full count pitch to shallow right that the Dock Spiders defense had trouble playing. Kapers scored from third to tie the game 5-5 before the game was delayed due to lightning and rain.

After a 30-minute rain delay, the Rafters offense picked up right where it left off. Jack Collins entered the game on the hill for the Dock Spiders to face Nick Owens. Owens walked to load the bases again with one out to bring up Jones. Jones drove a double to left and scored two runs, giving the Rafters a 7-5 lead. Woodcock walked, and Ryan Stekl hit an infield fly that scored Owens from third.

 Wisconsin Rapids heads home for a four game home stand starting against the Kalamazoo Growlers. Friday night is Mustache Night with Rollie Fingers making an appearance at Witter Field. First pitch is slated for 7:05 pm at Witter Field with coverage starting at 6:50 pm on AM 1320 WFHR and WFHR.com, the Rafters Radio Network.