For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, well-rested from a Tuesday off day, could not wake up the bats in a July 22, 3-1 loss to the Wisconsin Woodchucks.

The Rafters (14-7) and Woodchucks (6-15) traded zeroes early. The Rafters’ Travis Adams started and pitched 3.1 innings, striking out six. The Woodchucks starter was USF’s Matt Taylor. Taylor battled his command, walking four batters over four innings, but held the Rafters off the board.

The scoreless tie was broken in the sixth with a two-run home run by Woodchucks centerfielder Brandon Seltzer. In response, the Rafters put the first two runners on base in the seventh when Parker Nolan and Roman Trujillo walked. Billy Cook’s flyout moved Nolan to third, with Andy Garriola at the plate. Garriola, who leads the league in RBIs, flied to left field, scoring Nolan on a sacrifice fly.

The Rafters loaded the bases in the ninth, down by two, but Ryan Walstad popped out to end the game. The Rafters stranded 11 runners on base for the game.

The Rafters return home on July 23 to host the Woodchucks on Mid-State Technical College Blackout Night. The Rafters will be wearing special black jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game. Proceeds from the auction go to the Mid-State Foundation. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m.