For the City Times

MEQUON – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (5-7) got a quality start from Nathan Hemmerling and backed it up with a strong offensive showing in a 5-0 win over the Lakeshore Chinooks (3-9).

Wisconsin Rapids got on the board in the top of the first with a pair of runs on an error and a Rich Ciufo sacrifice fly. One inning later, the Rafters extended their lead to 3-0 with an RBI single by Josh Nicoloff. In the third, Rapids tacked on another run as Ciufo scored on a wild pitch.

The Rafters added an insurance run in the seventh on a run scored by Richie Schiekofer to lead 5-0 heading to the eighth inning. Rapids held on to win game four of the series and split the series with divisional opponent Lakeshore.

Hemmerling pitched six shutout innings, giving up just four hits and adding a strikeout to earn the win. Zack Hunsicker pitched an inning and surrendered one hit. Jimmy Borzone closed the game for Wisconsin Rapids with two innings of work.

Lakeshore starter Randon Dauman is credited with the loss in 2.1 innings of work.