Wisconsin Rapids, WIS – The Wisconsin Woodchucks lost two of three games in a tripleheader with the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters Monday at Witter Field. The Woodchucks won the first game, which was a suspended game that started May 27, by a score of 6-2, and they lost the next two contests by scores of 7-3 and 2-1.
The Woodchucks and Rafters picked up the suspended game in the top of the fifth inning with the Chucks leading 5-1. The Chucks had runners on first and third with two outs, but they could not score in the frame.
Wisconsin Rapids scored one run in the sixth, but the Woodchucks responded in the seventh. Keenan Eaton and Ryan Day both walked with two down. Then, Albee Weiss doubled Eaton home to make it 6-2.
Reagan Biechler worked three innings on the mound for the Chucks in the shortened contest. He gave up just four hits and one run and earned the save. Peter Jewell – who threw four innings with only five hits allowed and one earned run when the game started May 27 – got the win.
In the second game of the day, the Rafters took an early 2-0 lead with runs in the first and second innings. The Woodchucks bounced back to tie it in the third though. Day and Ty Black singled to start the frame. Black was picked off at first, but Day and Jared Oliva – who reached on a hit by pitch – both came around to score.
Wisconsin Rapids got back-to-back jacks in the third inning with solo home runs from Brock Carpenter and Ryan Cleveland. The Woodchucks got a solo shot in the following inning from Keenan Eaton to cut the Rafter lead to 4-3.
The Rafters padded that edge with three more runs in the fifth inning, including one off the fourth solo homer of the game, this one from Jake Sandlin, and their 7-3 lead held as the Chucks recorded just two hits in the final three innings.
Wisconsin Rapids took the first lead in the finale of the trio of games. They scored one run in the second before the Chucks got a run of their own in the third. Black and Troy Traxler both singled, but Black got caught in a rundown and was tagged out. Weiss hit a two-out double though to score Traxler and make it 1-1.
The Rafters went ahead 2-1 with one run in the fourth inning. It came on a solo blast from Ryan Cleveland to center field, his second home run of the day. The Woodchucks could not rally and finished the game with just four hits.
Jared Helmich started the third game of the day for the Chucks. He threw five innings with three hits and two runs allowed, as well as three strikeouts. Connor Kelly threw one inning of hitless and scoreless relief.
After getting one win and taking two losses Monday, Wisconsin is 23-44 on the season and 11-21 on the second half.
The Woodchucks get a day off tomorrow, with the exception of Jared Oliva and Kyle Dohy, who will compete in the Major League Dreams Showcase at Warner Park in Madison. The team returns to action Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. at Athletic Park against the Rafters.
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!
