Wausau, WIS – The Wisconsin Woodchucks took a three run lead into the ninth inning and the Thunder Bay Border Cats came within one run, but Max Ising got out of the jam giving the Woodchucks a 5-4 win.

The Border Cats (1-5) held an early lead as they scored a run in their first two innings. The Woodchucks (5-4) drew even in the fourth inning when Kevin Abraham hit a single down the right field line bringing home Nate Mondou.

The Woodchucks then scored three crucial runs in the bottom of the sixth inning with the bottom of the order doing the damage. Mondou drove in Jake Scudder giving the Woodchucks a 3-2 lead. With the bases loaded, Connor Beck, batting ninth, delivered a two-run single giving the Woodchucks important insurance runs.

All three of the Woodchucks’ runs in the sixth inning as Thunder Bay battled back in the top of the ninth inning. Nick Studer hit a two-run double bringing them within one run. Ising had an off night giving up those two runs but settled down and struck out Cory Kay stranding the tying run on second base. Ising recorded his team-leading seventh save as he got the key outs that were needed to finish the game.

The Woodchucks got an overpowering pitching performance from Brian Howard. Howard gave up just one earned run on two hits all while striking out nine batters.

The Woodchucks and Border Cats will finish their two-game series tomorrow night at Athletic Park. First pitch is set for 6:35. The Woodchucks will play their next three games at Athletic Park before leaving for Michigan on Saturday.

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.