For the City Times

GRAFTON – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (4-7) struck first against the Lakeshore Chinooks (3-8), but ultimately fell in a close 3-2 divisional matchup.

The Rafters opened the scoring with a solo home run by Rich Ciufo to lead off the third inning, but Lakeshore would answer with a pair of runs in the fourth to take the lead. Wisconsin Rapids tied the game one inning later on a sacrifice fly by Josh Nicoloff.

In the seventh inning, the Chinooks retook the lead on a sac fly of their own to go up 3-2 heading to the eighth. The Rafters put a runner on in the top of the ninth, but Roman Trujillo was caught stealing with two outs to end the game.

Rafters’ starter Gareth Stroh pitched four innings, striking out two batters and surrendering just one hit. Wisconsin Rapids reliever Chris Sparks gets the loss, while Lakeshore’s Aaron Ras is credited with the win and Will Klein picks up the save.

The Rafters and Chinooks close out a four-game series June 8 at Kapco Park, as Wisconsin Rapids looks to split the series at 6:35 p.m.