For the Rapids City Times

Wisconsin Rapids bounces back from an eight-run defeat with a nine-run win over Rockford

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – After losing by eight to Rockford, Wisconsin Rapids put up nine runs in one inning and would win by nine splitting the two-game series with the Rivets on an 11-2 win. With two outs in the sixth, the Rafters would get four consecutive base hits.

Payton Robertson (Lamar) got on base with a single and then stole second. Jack-Thomas Wold (UNLV) got the scoring started with an RBI single that allowed Robertson to reach home plate from second base. Two base hits from Mitch Mallek (St. Cloud State) and Jake Dunham (Northern Illinois) plated Wold and chased Rivets starter Chase Kueter out of the game.

The Rafters did not relent as they loaded the bases on Luke Anderson after Caeden Harris (St Cloud State) was walked. Anderson walked Bret Fehr (SIU Edwardsville) to walk in a run. Seth Mullis (UNLV) reached first on two errors from Rivets third baseman Pat Loeffler which allowed Dunham and Harris to score. Tommy Szczasny (Northern Illinois) collected an RBI single. Payton Robertson nailed a two-run base hit to left field and when the dust cleared, the cranberry and gold had scored nine runs on seven hits and three Rivets errors.

Rockford struck first off of Rafters starter Trayson Kubo. Kubo allowed a solo home run to right field from Connor Rutherford. Both teams scored in the eighth. Wold collected his second RBI off a ground rule double and Mallek collected his first on an RBI ground out. The Rivets plated their second and final run of the day from a Braden Mosley double.

Outside of the home run, Kubo (2-0, 0.90) pitched another fine game earning his second win of the year. The junior out of Stephen F. Austin tossed five innings of one run ball and struck out two. Chase Kueter (1-1, 3.09) suffered his first loss of the year. He cruised through the first five innings before the nine-run sixth.

The Rafters begin a six-game home stand hosting the Battle Creek Bombers in the first of a two-game series. First pitch is set for 7:05 pm. Get your tickets by calling 715-424-5400, visiting raftersbaseball.com or in-person at the Rafters ticket office at 521 Lincoln Street, Wisconsin Rapids.