Wausau, WIS- The Wisconsin Woodchucks scored three runs in the first two innings Thursday and led 3-1 until the Lakeshore Chinooks took the lead in the sixth and held on to defeat the Chucks 8-6 at Athletic Park.
Wisconsin and Lakeshore each scored one run in the first inning. Jared Oliva led off with a base on balls for the Chucks. Max Ponzurick was then hit by a pitch, LJ Hatch singled and Al Molina walked with the bases loaded to bring Oliva home.
The Woochucks grabbed a 3-1 lead in the second inning. Owen Taylor hit a solo home run – his second of the year – and Connor Heady scored on a Max Ponzurick single to center field later in the frame.
Lakeshore scored a combined four runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to snag a 5-3 lead. The Chucks wouldn’t score again until the seventh when Connor Heady singled with one out and Max Ponzurick scored him on a double to deep right center.
After Lakeshore extended their lead to 7-4 in the top of the eighth, the Chucks cut it back to 7-6 in the bottom of the inning. Keenan Eaton and Owen Taylor both walked with one out, and they would both come around to score.
The Chinooks got one insurance run in the top of the ninth, and it was enough for them to defeat Wisconsin, as the Chucks went down 1-2-3.
Matt Smith went five innings in his fourth start for Wisconsin this season. He gave up seven hits and three runs while striking out eight in the loss.
The Woodchucks’ four-game homestand rolls along with a pair against the Duluth Huskies on Friday and Saturday with both games beginning at 7:05 p.m.
Tickets for all Woodchucks home games can be purchased online, at woodchucks.com, by calling the Front Office at 715.845.5055, or by stopping by the Front Office (300 3rd. St. Suite 305, Wausau WI 55403) anytime between 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday, or 9:00-4:00 p.m. on game days. The box office at Athletic Park (324 E. Wausau Ave, Wausau WI 55403) opens at 1:30 p.m. on game days. The Woodchucks are looking forward to a fun filled season at Athletic Park and we hope to see you there!
