After six years of sub-.500 finishes and 507 total games, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (53-23, 4-0) erased their prolonged frustrations with an 11-4 rout of the Eau Claire Express (47-29, 2-2) to sweep the Summer Collegiate World Series and clinch the first Northwoods League Championship in franchise history.

The Rafters exploded for six runs in the sixth inning and coasted to victory.

The 2016 Summer Collegiate World Series will begin Thursday night, as the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters host the Eau Claire Express in game one of the best two of three series.

Wisconsin Rapids comes into the playoffs with the best record in the Northwoods League, as the Rafters won the first and second half of the South Division and finished with a record of 49-23.  The Rafters earned playoff wins over Lakeshore and Battle Creek to advance to the championship series.

Eau Claire won the first half in the North Division to earn a playoff berth and finished the regular season with a 45-27 overall record.  The Express earned playoff wins over Mankato and St. Cloud to advance to the title series.

The two teams split their four regular season games with the Rafters outscoring the Express 22-21 in those four games.

Eau Claire will host Wisconsin Rapids in game two on Friday night with the series heading back to Wisconsin Rapids on Saturday for game three, if necessary.