Wausau, Wis. – Despite an eight-run deficit in the seventh inning, the Rockford Rivets (19-20) almost came all the way back, eventually falling 13-12 to Wisconsin Woodchucks (15-25) on Sunday afternoon at Athletic Park.
The Rivets scored seven runs in the failed comeback on a single by Brock Martin, a walk by Parker Kelly, a walk by Wyatt Mascarella, a walk by Jacob Vander Wal, a sacrifice fly by Kian O’Brien, a single by Hal Hughes, and a sacrifice fly by Kelly.
The Woodchucks’ offense was fueled by two three-run home runs that came at opportune times and swung the momentum heavily in Wisconsin’s favor.
“I’m glad we hit the ball today, it kept us in it,” Rivets’ Manager Brian Smith said, “But when you play in ballparks like this, you just can’t give up three-run homers, they just kill you.”
Rockford was able to rack up 16 hits in the game in comparison to only nine by the Woodchucks. Martin, Justin Walker, O’Brien, and Hughes all had multiple hits for the Rivets. Martin went 4-for-6 at the plate to lead the team in hits.
Rockford also didn’t commit a single error in the field. Hal Hughes was huge playing third base with multiple defensive highlights that helped the Rivets stay close.
Rockford will play their final regular season game in Wausau tomorrow. They will also try and break a three-game skid against the Woodchucks. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM.
The Rockford Rivets are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Now in its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 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 190 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.rockfordrivets.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rivets as your favorite team.