Woodchucks Ride Fourth Inning Clinic in Win Over Kokomo

WAUSAU, WI – Less than 24 hours after scoring just two runs on six hits against the Kokomo Jackrabbits, the Wisconsin Woodchucks unloaded six runs in the fourth inning against their foes from Indiana on the way to a 9-3 win Sunday.

It was the most runs scored in a frame by the Chucks in the still-young 2021 season. They batted around in the inning, sending 12 batters to the plate, poking three base hits while being presented with two Jackrabbit errors.

Bash Randle, Kevin Kilpatrick, Noah Fitzgerald and Tyler MacGregor all logged RBIs in the fourth. After seeing an early three-run lead trimmed down to single run in the top half of the fourth, Wisconsin didn’t look back once racing to a 9-3 edge in the home half of the inning.

Sunday’s win earns Wisconsin a series split after falling 3-2 to the Jackrabbits on Saturday evening.

The Chucks scored two runs in the bottom of the first, when Noah Fitzgerald drove in both Bash Randle and Brandon Trammell on a one out single.

Wisconsin made it 3-0 as Kilpatrick launched a solo home run to left field.

Kokomo got a couple of runs back in the fourth, one on a defensive error and another on a fielder’s choice.

The Jackrabbits also added a run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly.

The Chucks are now 9-4 and lead the Great Lakes West Division, a position they’ve held since immediately after the opening game.

Madej Hits the Century Mark

Starting pitcher Nate Madej logged his 100th strikeout as a Wisconsin Woodchuck on Sunday. In four innings, the third-year Chuck allowed a pair of runs, one earned, with a couple of walks and strikeouts.

The Lemont, Ill. native sat down 40 batters in eight games in 2019 and retired 52 batters on strikes a season ago in 11 appearances. Through three outings in 2021, all starts, Madej has recorded eight strikeouts with a 5.14 earned run average.

Shane Telfer (2 IP), Tyler Murrah (1 IP), Geo Camfield (1 IP) and Thomas Kane (1 IP) inherited a flexible cushion after the Chucks’ fourth inning offensive masterpiece. The four bullpen arms combined for just one unearned run allowed and four strikeouts. Woodchuck relievers have not surrendered an earned run in their last 13 combined innings.

Top Performers

Fitzgerald went 2-5 while driving in three runs.

Trammell was 1-3 with two runs and two walks.

Kilpatrick had a third inning solo homer on his way to a 1-4, two-RBI afternoon.

Next Up

The Woodchucks hit the road for a two-game series against the Lakeshore Chinooks Monday and Tuesday night. The Chucks are back at Athletic Park on Thursday for a 6:35 p.m. first pitch against the Madison Mallards, where it will be Mosinee Youth Softball night!

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.