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Published On: June 7th, 2014

By Nick Winstead

Wausau, Wisc.—In their second road trip of the season the Battle Creek Bombers dropped the first game of the two game series to the Wisconsin Woodchucks, 4-3, in the bottom of the 9th.

Austen Thraillkill (Embry-Riddle) was on the bump for the Bombers and would build off of the success of his last outing, going 6 strong innings, fanning four Woodchucks and getting ahead in counts throughout his time on the mound.

The Woodchucks would score three times against Thraillkill, only one of which was earned.

The Bombers offense got going early, with Sam Koenig (Wisconsin—Milwaukee) scoring after a bunt from Joey Havrilak resulted in Woodchucks starter Seth Davis overthrowing his first baseman, Brenden Hayden. The ball, which traveled to the fence along the first baseline, was never thrown back in, allowing Koenig to score the first run of the game.

The Woodchucks would put together three one-run innings and were on top 3-1 when Justin Stawychny (Louisana-Monroe) was driven in from second by Laz Rivera (Univ. of Miami) in the 7th, cutting the Woodchucks lead to one.

In the very next inning Matt Dacey (Richmond) would tie the game with one swing of the bat. Dacey crushed a fastball over the scoreboard in deep right-center field.

“That was the longest homerun I’ve ever seen in the Northwoods League” commented Coach Trivett after the game.

With a tie going into the bottom of the 9th Luke Syens (Madison College) went to the mound. After a quick first out he would find himself in a bases loaded situation.

Josh Leone (Louisiana-Monroe) would come into the jam and issue a four pitch walk, bringing the winning run in from third.

Trivett remained upbeat, despite the walk-off loss. “A loss is always tough, but we really competed. We came back and pitched really, really well.”

The Bombers will look to bounce back tomorrow as they take on the Woodchucks again. First pitch will be at 7:05 Central Time.

Game Notes:

Austen Thraillkill: 6 IP, 4 Hits, 3 Runs, 1 Earned, 4 K, 2 BB

Matt Dacey: 3-4, 2 2B, 1 HR (2)

The Battle Creek Bombers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). For more information, visit www.battlecreekbombers.com