La Crosse, WIS – The Wisconsin Woodchucks issued eleven free passes on the mound and committed six errors in the field en route to dropping their 2014 opener, as they fell to the La Crosse Loggers, 14-6, Tuesday night at Copeland Park.
The Woodchucks (0-1) used seven different pitchers on the night, each of whom surrendered at least one run. The loss was given to Kyle Miller, who surrendered one run and one hit in one inning pitched, while the win was credited to the Loggers’ Ben Cejka, who surrendered three runs on four hits and two walks, while fanning five in six innings of work.
The ‘Chucks got on the board first, as with the bases empty in the second, designated hitter Ryan Donovan blasted a solo homerun over the right field fence, staking Wisconsin to a 1-0 lead. However, the Loggers (1-0) would go on to score nine unanswered runs, including a three-run second and a five-run fifth.
Woodchuck first baseman Brendon Hayden rejuvenated the ‘Chucks’ offense in the top half of the sixth inning, belting a two-run double to straight way center to cut the Logger lead to 9-3. However, it was then five more unanswered Logger runs that staked La Crosse to a commanding 14-3 lead.
Wisconsin battled until the final out of the ninth, as after centerfielder Troy Traxler and pitcher Curtis Bussard reached with singles, second baseman Paul DeJong uncorked a three-run homerun the opposite way, cutting the lead to 14-6. After Hayden singled, third baseman C.J. Chatham was called out on strikes to end the game.
Woodchuck pitchers allowed nine walks and two hit batsmen on the night, while five different Woodchuck fielders committed errors. The La Crosse offense was well balanced in taking full advantage of the Wisconsin miscues. Nine different Loggers recorded hits on the night, while eight different recorded at least one RBI. La Crosse scored in six of their eight innings at-bat, including each of the final five.
The Woodchucks will be back in action Wednesday night in the finale of their two-game set with La Crosse. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 P.M.
The WISCONSIN WOODCHUCKS Home Opener is Friday, May 30th in the newly renovated Athletic Park presented by The Samuels Group. Single game tickets will go on sale Tuesday, April 22nd for the 2014 season.
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The Wisconsin Woodchucks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwood’s League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwood’s 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 Northwood’s 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). All league games are viewable live and free of charge via the Northwood’s League YouTube channel. For more information, visit woodchucks.com.
