Wausau, WIS – The Wisconsin Woodchucks mounted a rally in the bottom of the ninth against the Battle Creek Bombers Saturday, but they left the tying run at third base and lost 8-7 at Athletic Park.
Battle Creek jumped ahead 5-0 in the early going. The Bombers scored one run in the first inning and four runs in the second. There were three hits – including an RBI double from Dan Swain – and three errors in the four-run second.
The Woodchucks got on the scoreboard in the fifth. Alex Cordova reached on a walk, moved to third on a Taylor Kohlwey single and scored on a groundout by Ryan Day.
Battle Creek and Wisconsin each scored two runs in the sixth. Albee Weiss and Jared Oliva scored the pair of runs for the Chucks. Oliva doubled before Troy Traxler singled Weiss home, and Oliva scored on a fielder’s choice from Cordova.
Wisconsin continued the comeback in the seventh. Day singled with one down, and then Yusuke Akitoshi hit into a fielder’s choice. Albee Weiss came to the plate and hit a towering shot that carried over the center field wall to make it 7-5.
The Bombers got one run of insurance in the ninth. It was the only run scored against Connor Kelly, who recorded five strikeouts in two and one third innings of relief.
The Woodchucks crossed two runs right away in the ninth. Akitoshi walked and Weiss belted his second homer of the day, his 17th of the season, to left field. Weiss finished 3-for-4 with three runs scored and four RBI.
Following Weiss’s jack, Oliva reached with a single to left field and then stole second base. Traxler walked to make it first and second before the next two Woodchuck hitters flew out to center field. Oliva stole third base as Tanner Gragg batted, but Gragg struck out to end the ballgame.
The Woodchucks’ final game of the season is tomorrow at Athletic Park. They face the Battle Creek Bombers again with first pitch at 5:05 p.m.
Tickets for all Woodchucks home games can be purchased online, at woodchucks.com, by calling the Front Office at 715.845.5055, or by stopping by the Front Office (300 3rd. St. Suite 305, Wausau WI 55403) anytime between 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday, or 9:00-4:00 p.m. on game days. The box office at Athletic Park (324 E. Wausau Ave, Wausau WI 55403) opens at 1:30 p.m. on game days. The Woodchucks are looking forward to a fun filled season at Athletic Park and we hope to see you there!
