GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Fans showed up in droves Thursday night to support the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in their first playoff appearance since 2016.
After winning their first game against the Quad Cities River Bandits in Iowa Tuesday night, the Timber Rattlers came home for game number two in the best-of-three series.
“We’re expecting one of the largest, our largest playoff crowd ever,” said Ryan Moede, the Timber Rattlers’ vice president of business operations, told FOX 11 before the game. “I think we’re going to set an attendance playoff record for the organization which would be really fun, and good to see the community support us tonight.”
Moede was correct.4,428 fans were in attendance to support the T-Rats, which marks the new record for playoff attendance at the Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute.
The Timber Rattlers scored three runs in the 9th inning to rally for a 7-6 win, sweeping the Western Division Finals.
Tuesday’s victory over the River Bandits was the first playoff game the Timber Rattlers have won since 2012. Fans told FOX 11 it’s been a long time coming.
“I’m excited, this is awesome. It’s wonderful to have this back here, finally, after so many years,” Ida Krause, a T-Rats fan, said.
“Just getting in the playoffs, playing really well, and of course, the bonus is that sometimes we see the Milwaukee guys come up and rehab. It’s just a lot of fun, I think they’re going to do really well,” said Jerry Brien, who was waiting in line for the gates to open before the game.
Moede says the players are equally excited to be back in the playoffs.
“A lot of these guys, they haven’t played in front of a big crowd, they haven’t played in these pressure-packed games maybe since college. So it’s kind of their first experience being in that area,” he explained. “And some of these guys came from high school and never had this kind of an experience.”
Fans are all-in on supporting the T-Rats’ run in the playoffs.
“I think the one beauty about this team and this atmosphere is that everybody comes out and shows up for them,” Krause said. “It doesn’t matter what game it is, they’ll show up.”
With Thursday’s win, the Timber Rattlers were declared the West Division champions. Tickets are on sale now for Game 1 of the Midwest League Championship series, which will be played at 6:40 p.m. Sunday in Grand Chute.
