Kalamazoo, MI – The Wisconsin Woodchucks relied on one big inning – with six runs in the third – to defeat the Kalmazoo Growlers 7-1 at Homer Stryker Field Saturday night.
The first inning was a long one Saturday. After Ty Black struck out and Jared Oliva worked a 3-0 count, the game went into a delay due to inclement weather. The delay lasted more than two hours as storms rolled through Kalamazoo.
It took a little while for the offense to find a groove after the break, but the Woodchucks hit their stride in the sixth. The Chucks scored six runs on three hits, three walks and three errors in the frame. Albee Weiss capped off the scoring with a three-run homer, his tenth of the season.
Kalamazoo answered with one run in the bottom of the third, but the Chucks matched that in the fifth. Yusuke Akitoshi singled to lead off the frame. Mason Fishback singled, and then Akitoshi scored on a wild pitch to make it 7-1 Chucks.
The bats for both the Woodchucks and Growlers went silent from there, as the two teams combined for just 11 hits in the contest.
Wisconsin threw three different arms on the mound. Robert Zeigler started and went two and two third innings with one hit and one run allowed. Reagan Biechler earned the victory with three and one third innings of relief, which included just one hit and six strikeouts. Anthony Badalucco got the save with three innings on the mound and just three hits allowed.
After finishing this game shortly after midnight, Wisconsin and Kalamazoo play the second game in their series tomorrow at 5:05 p.m. local time at Homer Stryker Field.
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!