WOODCHUCKS RALLY IN THE RAIN

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI – In a six-hour game that clocked in as the third longest in league history, the Woodchucks overcame two weather delays and a late two-run deficit to defeat the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, 4-3.

Trailing 2-0 in the top of the seventh, Woodchucks second baseman Noah Fitzgerald led off with a double and came around to score on an RBI groundout by designated hitter Tommy Delgado. The Woodchucks nearly tied the score on center fielder Tyler Kehoe’s two-out single later that inning, but catcher Dalton Reeves was thrown out at the plate.

The tying run would have to wait until the next inning, when shortstop Clayton Mehlbauer’s RBI single brought home left fielder Kevin Kilpatrick.

In the top of the tenth with the score tied at two, Kehoe’s bunt single set the stage for right fielder Roman Kuntz to deliver the go-ahead RBI single. Kuntz came around to score on first baseman Tyler MacGregor’s RBI single off of Columbia University teammate Billy Black, who took the loss for the Rafters tonight.

Ian Asken earned the save in the bottom of the tenth, working around three walks to strand the bases loaded and preserve a 4-3 Woodchucks victory – their first at Witter Field since July 2019.

Top Performers

Ryan Lobus drew the Opening Day start and struck out seven in three innings of work. If not for two rain delays which lasted a combined three hours, he would have stayed in the game for longer. Dante Chirico worked three innings in middle relief, allowing two runs and striking out three.

Geo Camfield picked up the win after three scoreless innings of late-game relief. He struck out five, working around a hit and two walks.

Clayton Mehlbauer enjoyed a productive night at the plate, finishing 3-for-5 with a RBI.

Next Up

The Woodchucks open the 2021 home slate Tuesday with a 6:35 p.m. first pitch against Wisconsin Rapids at Athletic Park in the second game of the home-and-home. The first 500 fans will receive a 2021 Woodchucks magnet schedule courtesy of QRG. 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 27-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.