For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (23-13) finished off the first half with a doubleheader sweep of the Green Bay Booyah (15-21) on July 2.

The Rafters scored early in game one and had to retake the lead late to win 5-3. In the nightcap, Wisconsin Rapids scored six runs over the first two innings and held off a late rally to win 6-3.

CJ Willis and Osvaldo Tovalin had RBIs in the first inning to take a 3-0 lead. Green Bay answered with a run an inning later and tied the game in the fourth. Josh Nicoloff gave the Rafters the lead in the fifth inning when he scored on a wild pitch. Rapids added an insurance run one inning later on an RBI by Richie Schiekofer.

Nathan Hemmerling struck out five batters in 4.1 innings as the starter and Jimmy Borzone closed out the game to get the win. Green Bay’s Chandler Ingram is credited with the loss in relief.

In game two, the Rafters scored first again. Willis and Jake Dunham each plated runs in the first inning, and the Rafters offense exploded for four more runs in the second. Schiekofer and Dunham both had RBI singles in the frame. Green Bay threatened late, walking in three runs and bringing the tying run to the plate in the sixth, but could not complete the comeback.

Starter Gareth Stroh is credited with the win for the Rafters with seven strikeouts over five shutout innings. Brayden Bonner relieved Dylan Mulvihill to get the final out in the seventh inning to earn the save.

The Rafters end the first half on a six-game winning streak and have won nine home games in a row at Historic Witter Field. The team finishes at second place in the Great Lakes West Division first-half standings with a record of 23-13.

The Rafters kick off the second half of their 10th Anniversary Season and begin a two-game series with the Wisconsin Woodchucks at Historic Witter Field on June 3.