WAUSAU, WI – The Wisconsin Woodchucks hosted the Madison Mallards for the final time of the 2019 regular season. The Woodchucks carried a 3-2 lead into the ninth inning but then allowed a two-run home run to give Madison the lead. The Woodchucks lost by a final score of 4-3.
The Woodchucks did most of the scoring early on. TJ Reeves showed off his speed by scoring on a passed ball. Chucks continued to cross the plate in the fourth inning after Byron Murray hit a solo home run. His ninth home run of the season now leads the team and gave the Chucks a 2-0 lead.
The Mallards charged back in the middle innings. EJ Ranel drove in a run for the Mallards in the fifth inning and also hit an RBI sacrifice fly in the seventh inning to tie the game. The Woodchucks quickly regained the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning, though.
Adam Frank drove in Brandon Seltzer with a single to left field. This gave the Woodchucks a 3-2 lead that they carried into the ninth inning.
Michael Novak took the mound for the Woodchucks in an attempt to close the game and earn the save. Instead, he allowed two Mallards runs to give Madison their first lead of the game at 4-3. EJ Ranel hit a two-run home run and was responsible for all four of Madison’s runs.
The Woodchucks top of the order was unable to reach base in the bottom of the ninth, leading to a tight, late-inning loss.
Top Performers
Jared Pettitte was the starting pitcher for the Woodchucks. He went six innings and allowed one run on four hits. Pettitte walked one and struck out two.
Byron Murray hit a solo home run in the fourth inning to give the Woodchucks a 2-0 lead. This was his ninth home run of the season, which now leads the team.
Adam Frank came up clutch for the Chucks in the seventh inning. He hit a single to left field that eventually brought home Brandon Seltzer to give the Woodchucks a 3-2 lead.
Next Up
The Wisconsin Woodchucks will complete their two-game series against the Mallards in Madison tomorrow on Wednesday, July 31st at 6:35 PM. The Woodchucks will return home on Thursday, August 1st to play the Green Bay Booyah at 6:35 PM. For tickets, call us at 715.845.5055, stop by our front office, or visit woodchucks.com.
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The Wisconsin Woodchucks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The 25-year old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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, over 200 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.woodchucks.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Woodchucks as your favorite team.