For the City Times

MEQUON – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (26-30) fell short to the Lakeshore Chinooks (25-30) in a 3-2 loss on July 27, along the shores of Lake Michigan. The Rafters held the Chinooks to just five hits.

Will Haberstock (North Alabama) was brilliant in a four inning start for the Rafters. He allowed just two baserunners while striking out seven Chinooks. Lakeshore scored one run in the fourth after Haberstock threw a perfect first three innings.

The Rafters tied the game in the fifth inning. Couper Cornblum (Wichita State) led off the inning with a base hit. Ben Swords (Webster) brought him home with an RBI double into right.

Lakeshore scored the decisive runs in a two run sixth off a walk and hit batter to take a 3-1 lead. Braydon Bonner (Dixie State) pitched a perfect eighth inning to keep Wisconsin Rapids in striking range.

The Rafters loaded the bases in the eighth inning with no outs after two walks and a hit batter. Blake Mann (St. Mary’s) scored as the Rafters grounded into a double play. They left the game tying run at third base.

In the top of the ninth EJ Exposito (Long Island) and Weston Eberly (Columbia) singles brought the game tying run to third base with two outs, but the Rafters flew out to end the game. Wisconsin Rapids pitchers combined to throw 13 strikeouts.