Woodchucks' epic comeback falls short, they lose 9-8

Kalamazoo, MI – After trailing 7-1 going into the eighth inning, the Wisconsin Woodchucks ran off six two-out runs to tie the game before eventually losing, 9-8, to the Kalamazoo Growlers at Homer Stryker Field in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Kalamazoo starter B.J. Butler dominated the 'Chucks through seven innings, conceding only one run — that was unearned — on three hits while striking out six without a walk.

But he gave way to the Growlers' bullpen in the eighth, and the Wisconsin offense went to work.

A single by Cole Daily (Notre Dame) was all the 'Chucks' offense had before there were two outs in the inning. But a walk to Connor Heady (Kentucky) and consecutive RBI hits by Logan Reckert (UW-Oshkosh), Steve Passatempo (UMass Lowell), Chad Fleischman (Lamar), Tyler Krabbe (Montevlallo) and Austin Blakeley (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi) tied the game at seven apiece.

Fleishman's two-RBI double and Blakeley's game-tying RBI double highlighted the inning. Passatempo had four hits, an RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base.

In the bottom of the eighth, though, Kalamazoo answered right back with two runs and the 'Chucks left Heady and Passatempo at second and first bases, respectively, as the potential tying and go-ahead runs to end the game.

Alex Lewandowski (Northwood University) took the loss for the Woodchucks.

Wisconsin drops to 6-4 on the season and retakes second place. First pitch tomorrow is at 5:05 CT against Kalamazoo in the first of a two-game series.

When the 'Chucks are on the road, follow along by listening to the voice of the 'Chucks, Nate Gatter, on FOX Sports Radio 1390 AM/93.9 FM or by checking out the Woodchucks' Twitter and Facebook feeds.

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The Wisconsin Woodchucks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 23rd season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods 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 150 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.wisconsinwoodchucks.com.