For the City Times

Wisconsin Rapids gets an early lead and holds on late to pick up a 4-3 win over the Mallards

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (6-7) picked up back-to-back wins for the first time this season with a 4-3 win over the Madison Mallards (12-2) Sunday night.

The Rafters struck first with two runs on a ball put in play by Osvaldo Tovalin. In the top of the fourth, the Mallards answered with two runs of their own to tie the game 2-2.

A half inning later, Wisconsin Rapids retook the lead with RBI singles by Roman Trujillo and Richie Schiekofer. Trailing 4-2 in the eighth inning, Madison’s Nick Gile entered the game and hit a sacrifice fly to pull the Mallards within one.

However, Brayden Bonner pitched the ninth inning and an athletic off-balance throw from Trujillo at shortstop recorded the final out and secured the 4-3 victory for Wisconsin Rapids.

Rafters starter Matt Osterberg pitched seven innings, striking out five batters, and earning the win. He was relieved in the eighth by Cody Turner and Izzy Fuentes. Bonner gets the save for his work in the ninth inning. Madison’s starting pitcher Lowell Schipper is credited with the loss.

The Rafters and Mallards square off again Monday night at 7:05 p.m. for Cartoon Night and Autism Awareness Night and Historic Witter Field.

Want to attend a Rafters game this season? Single-game tickets are on sale now. For more information on all Rafters ticket offerings visit Raftersbaseball.com, call the Rafthouse at 715-424-5400, or come visit us over at historic Witter Field. The Rafters ticket office is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday at Witter Field, 521 Lincoln Street in Wisconsin Rapids.