For the City Times

WAUSAU – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (22-26) fell 6-3 to the Wisconsin Woodchucks (28-19) at Athletic Park on July 17. The Rafters have lost a season long five games in a row.

Nathan Hemmerling (Lakeland) dominated the Woodchucks. The righty entered in the fourth inning and threw three perfect innings in relief. He struck out five Woodchucks. McKinley Erves (LaGrange) helped out Hemmerling in the sixth inning with a spectacular diving catch in right field.

The Woodchucks took a 2-0 lead in the third inning with a double, walk, and error. Wyatt Thompson (Chapman) allowed just two hits in a three inning start for Wisconsin Rapids.

The Woodchucks added to their lead with a four run seventh inning. Rafters’ pitcher Nick Torres (Long Island) escaped unscathed from a bases loaded jam with no outs in the eighth.

After just one hit in the first eight innings, the Wisconsin Rapids came alive in the ninth trailing 6-0. Andrew Duran (New Orleans) and Blake Mann (St. Mary’s) had RBI hits as part of a three run inning courtesy of three singles and three walks.

The Rafters struck out to end the game with the bases loaded and the tying run at first base.