Green Bay turns to KJ Ward
ASHWAUBENON, Wis. — The Green Bay Rockers return to Capital Credit Union Park tonight looking to even their two‑game home set with the Wausau Woodchucks after a 10–9 thriller slipped away late on Tuesday. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m., and the ballpark will be buzzing for Youth Sports Night presented by SMA Construction — kids wearing their youth team jerseys receive free admission, adding extra juice to a key midweek matchup.
Green Bay’s offense flashed plenty of firepower in the series opener. Aidan Kuni launched two home runs, Max Humphrey added a two‑run shot, and the Rockers twice erased multi‑run deficits before a ninth‑inning push came up a base hit short. There was no quit in the dugout as David Ballenilla and Eli Selga helped spark late‑inning rallies, but the Woodchucks’ five‑run sixth proved to be the difference.
Headed into tonight’s matchup, right‑hander KJ Ward gets the start for Green Bay. The Park University–Gilbert product enters 2–0 with a 2.00 ERA, riding a stretch of poised, strike‑pounding outings that have earned him a growing role. Ward’s strength is tempo and strike throwing; when he’s ahead, he induces quick contact and keeps pitch counts manageable. After a high‑scoring opener, a composed, efficient start from Ward would go a long way toward stabilizing the game and handing a rested back end of the bullpen defined lanes in the late innings.
Offensively, the Rockers have found a blend that travels: early power, pressure on the bases, and timely two‑out swings. Kuni’s timing looks locked in, Humphrey continues to supply middle‑order lift, and Ballenilla’s recent run of quality at‑bats has lengthened the lineup. Expect Green Bay to keep attacking early in counts and to test Wausau defensively after the Woodchucks’ big inning swung momentum last night.
Defensively and on the mound, the emphasis is straightforward: limit the crooked numbers. Wausau’s fourth and sixth innings carried the opener; keeping traffic to singles and minimizing free passes will be tonight’s objective. The Rockers’ pen has been at its best when entering with clean frames and clear matchups — something a deeper Ward outing can help deliver.
With the standings tightening and the calendar turning toward August, tonight offers both a bounce‑back window and a tone‑setter for the week ahead. The crowd should be lively with youth teams packing the seats, the stakes are familiar, and the formula is clear: ride Ward’s strike zone, cash the early chances, and close clean. It’s a good night for the Rockers to take the split — and carry momentum into the weekend.
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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. Now in its’ 32nd season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history with 24 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, nearly 2400 NWL alums have been drafted and over 400 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 (TOR), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford 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, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove, two-time Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). League games are viewable live on Northwoods League+ (at watch.northwoodsleague.com) and 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.