Rafters fall to Bombers by one in series finale
For the Rapids City Times
WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (30-37, 15-17 second half) fell one run short of the Battle Creek Bombers (35-33, 20-13 second half) 4-3. The Rafters trailed by three but came in within one in the later innings. Bret Fehr (SIU Edwardsville) was sent around third and headed home but was out at the plate on a throw from the Bombers’ left fielder Connor Bailey.
Both teams traded runs in the fourth. Battle Creek scored one in the fourth as Jake Wilson avoided a 6-4-3 double play, scoring from third base. Wisconsin Rapids scored a half inning later with an RBI sacrifice fly from Jack-Thomas Wold (UNLV). Battle Creek took the lead in the fifth with two runs on three hits. Zach Gartner pushed the lead to three with a solo home run to left in the sixth.
The Rafters began their comeback attempt in the eighth. Wisconsin Rapids scored twice on two hits. Ty Duvall (Vanderbilt) brought in one on a base hit to shallow center and Dustin Woodcock (SIU Edwardsville) brought the other in on an RBI sac fly to deep right center.
After Cole Waites (West Alabama) struck out the side in the top of the ninth, Bret Fehr started the bottom of the frame with a base hit. Fehr moved into scoring position off a sacrifice from Payton Robertson (Louisiana State Shreveport). With two outs, Ethan Stringer (Louisville) lined one to left field and Fehr was sent around third. Connor Bailey threw towards the plate and Fehr was tagged out trying to score the tying run to end the game.
Tyler Giovinco (3-2, 4.28 ERA) suffered his second loss of the year. Chase Wheatcroft (4-1, 1.70 ERA) earned his fourth win with five innings of one-run ball. The save went to Dillon Sievert (1-1, 3.70 ERA) — his second save of the summer.