For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (3-6) led twice, but ultimately came up short 7-6 in a back-and-forth game against the Lakeshore Chinooks (2-7).

The Rafters got the offense going early with four runs in the bottom of the first, including a three-run homer by Anthony Galason. Lakeshore answered with a run an inning later and took a 5-4 lead on four runs in the third inning.

In the seventh inning, Josh Nicoloff hit a two-run home run to the left-field corner with two outs. This gave the Rafters a 6-5 lead heading to the eighth.

The Chinooks retook the lead in the top of the ninth on an RBI single and led 7-6. Trailing in the bottom of the final frame, the Rafters put a runner on third, but were unable to bring him home to tie the game.

Richie Schiekofer led the Rafters offense, going 3-for-4 and scoring two runs. Josh Nicoloff had two RBIs in a 1-for-4 day at the plate.

Rafters reliever Brayden Bonner gets the loss and Lakeshore’s Will Klein is credited with the win. The two teams meet again June 6 at Witter Field for Advanced Disposal Cranberry night at 6:35 p.m.