Wausau, WIS – The Wisconsin Woodchucks for the second straight night rallied late against the Kalamazoo Growlers, but they were defeated in 11 innings by a score of 8-7.
The difference in this game was an RBI single by Growlers’ left fielder Nick Yarnall that fell just in front of Woodchucks’ center fielder Troy Traxler giving them an 8-7 lead in the top of the eleventh inning.
The Woodchucks came up to bat looking for some more late game magic, but Josh Buchalski recorded the save ending the game with a strike him out, throw him out double play.
The Woodchucks rallied the previous three innings but their luck would run out in the bottom of the eleventh inning.
The Woodchucks’ late game rally began in the bottom of the eighth inning. This time it was a four-run cushion that the Growlers were clinging to when the Woodchucks came up to bat in the bottom of the eighth inning. Three home runs from Paul DeJong, Jake Scudder, and Nate Mondou cut the deficit to 6-5.
A lead-off double by Brendon Hayden got the ninth inning rally going for the Woodchucks. Hayden was then pinch ran for as Parker Dunshee came into the game. Dunshee reached third base after a single by Scudder and was driven home by Zach Arnold as he hit a sacrifice fly to right field tying the game up at six.
The two teams would alternate runs in the tenth inning when the Growlers struck in the eleventh inning which would be the difference in this one.
The Woodchucks will travel to Wisconsin Rapids tomorrow night to take on the Rafters. The Rafters will then come to Athletic Park on Sunday to finish the home and home series. First pitch will be at 5:05 on Sunday.
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 via the Northwood’s League YouTube channel. For more information, visit woodchucks.com.