Wausau, WIS – After beating the Dock Spiders in Fond du Lac yesterday, the Wisconsin Woodchucks were not able to sweep the series. The Woodchucks got out to a 5-2 lead in the sixth inning, but Fond du Lac scored a total of eight runs in the seventh and eighth inning that led to a final score of 8-5.
The game presented itself as a battle between pitchers. Florida Southwestern State College pitcher Nate Madej took the mound and started for the Woodchucks. He pitched five innings and only allowed two hits. Madej gave up zero runs and struck out seven batters.
The scoring began in the bottom of the fifth inning when Woodchucks catcher Santino Miozzi made his debut with the team by hitting an inning-leading single. He soon advanced to second on a wild pitch. Center fielder Brandon Seltzer came to the plate and hit a ground ball to third base. The ball was overthrown, allowing Seltzer to advance to second and Miozzi to score in the process. This was the first score of the game, giving the Woodchucks a 1-0 lead.
Designated hitter Adam Frank continued the Woodchucks’ scoring with an RBI single to right field. The hit scored Brandon Seltzer. Adam Frank then advanced to second after an error by Fond du Lac’s second baseman. This gave the Woodchucks a 2-0 lead.
Shortstop Kyle Simmons came to the plate with Adam Frank standing on second. Simmons laid a bunt down the third base line that forced the Fond du Lac third baseman to throw on a hurry. He overthrew first base that allowed Simmons to advance to second and Frank to score home. This gave the Woodchucks a 3-0 lead.
Fond du Lac quickly responded in the top of the sixth inning when Andrew Schleusner hit a two-run scoring RBI single that cut their deficit to 3-2. With the Woodchucks still leading, they entered the bottom of the sixth inning with newcomer Santino Miozzi coming to the plate. Miozzi had a hit earlier in the fifth inning but decided to add to his impressive debut. He singled to left field to get the inning started for the Woodchucks. This brought center fielder Brandon Seltzer to the plate. Seltzer stepped to the plate with power in his bat as he soon hit a two-run home run over the left field wall of Athletic Park. The home run gave the Woodchucks a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning.
The seventh inning began with Jose Varela taking the mound for the Woodchucks. He pitched the Dock Spiders into what was set up to be a double play, but shortstop Kyle Simmons could not control it. He committed an error that forced the Woodchucks to give up a run and allow Fond du Lac to make it a 5-3 game. With runners still on base, Fond du Lac continued their late-inning efforts by putting the ball in play yet again. A ground ball hit by the Dock Spiders allowed the Woodchucks to get the second and third out, but not before Fond du Lac could score another run. This made the score 5-4 with the Woodchucks still leading.
Fond du Lac continued scoring in the top of the eighth inning when Andrew Bullock hit an RBI single. This tied the game at 5-5. The Dock Spiders were not done scoring. They added two more runs in the top of the eighth inning to give them their first lead of the game. The score became 7-5 after Fond du Lac hit two more RBI singles.
Fond du Lac’s late-inning rally became more of a gathering of insurance runs when they added yet another run in the top of the eighth inning. The Dock Spiders hit a ground ball to shortstop Kyle Simmons who committed his second error of the game, giving Fond du Lac an 8-5 lead.
The Woodchucks could not score a run in the eighth or the ninth inning, falling to the Dock Spiders by a final score of 8-5.
Top Performers
Center fielder Brandon Seltzer hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning that gave the Woodchucks a 5-2 lead. He also represented two of the Woodchucks runs, making him the ‘Chucks highest run-scorer with 12 this season.
Starting pitcher Nate Madej took the mound for the Woodchucks. He pitched five innings, gave up zero runs, and only allowed two hits. Madej came into the matchup with eight strikeouts and nearly doubled that with seven strikeouts in tonight’s game.
Catcher Santino Miozzi made his first appearance with the Woodchucks by catching Madej’s five shutout innings. He added to his debut with the Woodchucks by going 2-4 with two singles and scored two runs.
Next Up
The Wisconsin Woodchucks will continue their three-game homestand tomorrow on Tuesday, June 11 with a double-header against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. After playing in Wisconsin Rapids at 11:35 AM, the teams will face off in Wausau to complete the twin-bill with a 6:35 PM game start. It will be Wausau Youth Baseball and Softball Night. The homestand will then round out on Wednesday, June 12 with a visit from everyone’s favorite henchmen! The Minions will visit Athletic Park when the Woodchucks take on the Green Bay Booyah at 6:35 PM. Minions Night will be presented by Culver’s Restaurant. For tickets, call us at 715.845.5055, stop by our front office, or visit woodchucks.com.
