For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – After winning eight consecutive games, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (2-1) dropped their first game of the second half with a 5-3 loss to the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders (2-1) on July 5.

The Rafters struck early with a sacrifice fly by Jake Dunham in the top of the first inning, but fell behind when Fond du Lac posted a pair in the bottom of the inning. Josh Nicoloff had a sacrifice RBI in the third to tie the game.

Wisconsin Rapids retook the lead in the seventh on an RBI single by Anthony Galason to go up 3-2. However, the Dock Spiders answered with a three-run frame in the bottom of the inning and Fond du Lac hung on to win.

Rafters starting pitcher Jack Sinclair struck out six batters in four innings of work. Reliever Izzy Fuentes is credited with the loss in relief. Connor Dryer earns the win out of the bullpen for Fond du Lac.

The Rafters and Dock Spiders finish the series on July 6, before Wisconsin Rapids travels to Kokomo for a two-game series.