Reese Alexiades tied the game with a two-run homer in the ninth, but Kalamazoo scored three unearned runs in the eleventh to defeat the Wisconsin Woodchucks 8-5 this afternoon at Athletic Park.
The Woodchucks got on the board first in the bottom of the second by scoring a run without a base hit. Dom DeRenzo walked, stole second, advanced to third on Mike Ferri’s deep fly out to center and scored on a wild pitch.
The Chucks added a run in the fourth to take a 2-0 lead. Nick Lofton walked, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on Brandt Broussard’s single to right.
The Growlers led off the sixth with a home run and added two more runs in the inning to take a 3-2 lead. Kalamazoo extended its lead to 5-2 in the top of the seventh with a pair of runs.
A two-out walk to Javier Valdes, followed by a stolen base and an RBI-single from Alexiades trimmed the Kalamazoo lead to 5-3 in the bottom of the seventh.
Broussard doubled to lead of the ninth before Alexiades followed with a one-out homer off the scoreboard in right to tie the game. The Chucks got a runner to third with one out in the bottom of the tenth, but a spectacular defensive play by the Growlers kept the game tied.
Top Performers
Broussard was 3-5 at the plate, while Valdes and Alexiades each finished 2-5 at the dish. Alexiades also had 3 RBIs. Loftin was 2-4 and had two stolen bases.
Zach De La Garza pitched five scoreless innings to start the game before giving up three runs in the sixth. Frank Rate and Mason Cole each threw a scoreless inning of relief.
Next Up
The Wisconsin Woodchucks host the Green Bay Bullfrogs on Monday August 6th at Athletic Park. First pitch is at 6:35. Monday will be Step Brothers Catalina Wine Mixer Night. Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Step Brothers with the Catalina Wine Mixer. It will also be Hat Giveaway Night for the first 250 fans. For tickets, call us at 715.845.5055, stop by our front office, or visit woodchucks.com
