For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The first-place Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (18-9) rallied Aug. 1 to top the second-place Lakeshore Chinooks (14-12) and extend their lead in the Great Lakes West Division Standings.

The Rafters fell behind early in the first inning, but posted two runs on wild pitches in the bottom of the opening frame to take the lead. Richie Schiekofer launched a two-run homer to center field in the second inning to push the Rafters lead to 4-1.

Over the next three innings, Lakeshore clawed their way back and took a 7-4 lead in the fifth inning. Anthony Galason scored on a wild pitch in the sixth to pull the Rafters within two heading to the seventh.

Wisconsin Rapids put together a big seventh-inning rally, scoring four runs on RBIs by Edarian Williams and Richie Schiekofer to take a 9-7 lead. Jaylen Guy and Jake Dunham each drove in a run to pad the Wisconsin Rapids lead. Brayden Bonner closed out the ninth inning to secure the 11-7 victory.

Cody Turner earns the win for Wisconsin Rapids, pitching two clean innings and striking out two batters in relief. Lakeshore reliever Joe Roundtree gets the loss. The Rafters now hold a four-game lead on Green Bay, Fond du Lac and Lakeshore in the division standings with nine games to play.

Rapids takes the lead in the season series 5-4 over the Chinooks. The Rafters continue a four-game homestand and close the series with the Chinooks on Friday.