Green Bay losses to Wausau 7-5 in first game of 2024
ASHWAUBENON, Wis. – The Rockers fell to the Woodchucks 7-5 at Athletic Park. Though Green Bay got off to a slow start, they showed flashes of what looks to be a promising season.
After Wausau recorded the first two outs of the game, the next two Rockers reached base, before DH Carson Hansen (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) hit a three-run home run to open the scoring. Several walks from Woodchucks starter Garrett Brogdon (Simpson) dove in a fourth run in the opening frame.
But Wausau quickly stuck back in the bottom of the first. Four infield hits and four walks in their first ten at bats put the chucks in front 5-4. Rocker’s starter Mack Crowley (Minnesota-Mankato) was replaced after the fourth run by Lleyton Grubich (McHenry County College).
From there, the game shifted and became a pitchers duel. Only one run was scored in the next six innings; An RBI single from Rockers’ shortstop Sam Miller tied the game at 5-5 in the top of the fourth. Meanwhile, Grubich pitched a stellar six innings, striking out 12 batters and only allowed a single hit, keeping the Woodchucks scoreless for his entire stint, until Henry Chabot (Chapman) came in to finish the seventh inning.
Wausau would not go down quietly. Sophomore Drew Berkland (Minnesota) hit a go ahead two-run home to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth moving the score to 7-5. The Rockers battled back in the ninth and loaded the bases with one out, but Woodchucks reliever Seth Clausen (Minnesota) managed to secure the final two outs, and earned his first save of the year.
The Rockers will look to even the series against Wausau in their first home game of the year at Capital Credit Union Park. Gates open at 5:30 for the live pregame concert featuring Bazooka Joe and the first pitch is slated for 6:35. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a 2023 Championship blanket and it’s also Topper’s Tuesdays, with 2-for-1 tickets available for any seating in the main bowl.
Tickets for the 2024 season are available online at www.greenbayrockers.com or by calling the ticket office at 920-497-7225 to reserve your seats today. The Rockers front office and Team Apparel Fan Shop at Capital Credit Union Park are located at 2231 Holmgren Way in Ashwaubenon. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm and all game days from 8:30am through the end of the 3rd inning.
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The Green Bay Rockers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Entering its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 26 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, over 350 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, 2021 and 2023 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. For more information, visit www.greenbayrockers.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rockers as your favorite team.