WOODCHUCKS CAN’T HANG ON IN KOKOMO
July 8th, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jake Herman, Radio Broadcasting & Media Relations Intern
Contact: Austin Pert, Public Relations Intern (radio@woodchucks.com)
Bullpen Can’t Preserve Madej Gem in Loss
KOKOMO, IN – A dazzling performance from starting pitcher Nate Madej wasn’t enough for the Wisconsin Woodchucks (21-16), who fell by a score of 5-1 against the streaking Kokomo Jackrabbits (23-16) Thursday night.
The loss is the sixth in the last seven games for the Woodchucks, who have now started off the second half 0-2.
Once the Woodchucks got into Kokomo’s bullpen, they got on the board first in the top of the sixth. A double by Jacob Burke moved Stephen Reid into scoring position. Gino Groover’s infield single plated Reid and gave the visitors their first and only lead.
Nate Madej was masterful through six and one-third innings of shutout baseball. He did not allow a hit until the bottom of the fifth, issuing two walks and striking out ten Jackrabbit hitters in a dominant outing.
Unfortunately for the Woodchucks, the lead would not hold. Thomas Wilhite retired his first batter out of the bullpen before the next four hitters reached and the score was tied. Tom Kane came in but issued a walk, hit batsman and infield single which plated the inherited runners. When the dust settled, Kokomo led 5-1.
The Woodchucks stranded runners on the corners in the eighth, ending their hopes of a late comeback in the defeat.
Top Performers
Madej took over the team lead in strikeouts after the no-decision. He now has 35 on the season and his ERA is down to 2.22.
Spring Hill lefty Collin Millar tossed a scoreless eighth inning in his team debut.
Reid continued his hot start at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in the loss.
Burke recorded both a hit and a stolen base for the second consecutive game.
Up Next
The Woodchucks will conclude this series in Kokomo tomorrow at 5:35 p.m. central time. They’ll then travel to Rockford for a weekend series before returning home for a doubleheader Monday against Lakeshore.
###
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.
