Fireworks Pop Early as Rafters Use Six Run Eighth for a Comeback Win

Wisconsin Rapids, WI August 14, 2010. It looked bleak for the Rafters late Saturday night, but a six run explosion in the eighth brightened their outlook in route to 7-6 comeback win against the Battle Creek Bombers.

After the Bombers extended a slim lead with three in the top half of the eighth, the Rafters got it all back and more, sending ten to the plate in the bottom half. A pair of singles and an error loaded the bases with no one out. After a strike out for out number one, Michael Smith and Ryan Palermo reached on a pair of infield singles to drive home three and make it 5-4 Bombers.

Within one run, the Rafters were not content to wait for ninth inning heroics. Brad Hallberg notched a two out single to bring home the tying run. Then, a wild pick-off throw towards Hallberg at first scored Palermo from third and broke the tie.

Still hungry for more, Matt Johnson made sure the Rafters had a ninth inning cushion. The outfielder doubled down the left field line to drive home what turned out to be the winning run. “This is definitely going to carry over into the next two games,” Johnson said. “We were all pumped and needed that in a big way.”

A night that ended with incredible heroics, started just as incredibly. Starter Jesse Arreola recorded the first twelve outs on strike outs, en route to a fourteen strike-out performance to set the new franchise record. “When I was in the bullpen I had everything feeling good,” Arreola said. “Then when everything was sharp through the first three I knew they wouldn’t touch me early.” Arreola did allow four runs as he worked into the eighth, but the offense got him off the hook for the loss.

Steve Godawa, far from perfect Saturday, allowed a run in the eighth and ninth but contained the damage as he nailed down the final five outs and pick up his fourth win. The win snaps the Rafters seven game losing skid and is the first this season when the club trailed after seven innings.

The Rafters move to 8-27 on the second half and 19-49 overall, while the Bombers drop to 5-29 on half number two and fall even with the Rafters at 19-49 in 2010.

The Rafters last home stand of the season continues Saturday August 14^th with the last Fireworks Extravaganza of the season presented by Veolia. Game time is 7:05 but make plans to stick around for the post game fireworks. Gates open at 6:05.

The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are members of the 16-team summer collegiate Northwoods League. Single game tickets, ticket packages and group tickets are on sale now! For more information call (715) 424-5400 or visit www.raftersbaseball.com.

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