Rockford (IL) It’s opening week in Wisconsin in the Northwoods League presented by Edvest. The Wisconsin Woodchucks topped the Rockford Rivets, 6-5, in a spectacularly entertaining opening game at Rivets Stadium in Rockford, Illinois.

Austin Blakely (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi) supplied the big blow: a grand slam in the fifth inning that gave the ‘Chucks a 6-4 lead that they would never relinquish.

Connor Hock (Notre Dame) started on the mound for the Woodchucks and threw three innings, conceding three runs (one earned) while striking out four.

Four ‘Chucks relievers contributed scoreless innings: Alex Lewandowski (Northwoods University), Beau Zeihen (Allan Community College), Joey Brewster (University of San Francisco) and Evy Ruibal (Notre Dame), who also got the save.

Stevie Mangrum (Virginia Tech) reached base three times and contributed two runs — including the first of the game and season — along with a stolen base.

Scott Parker (University of San Francisco) picked up the win for the Woochucks.