Woodchucks Efficient in Win Over Rafters

WAUSAU, WI – It was a low scoring battle between the Wisconsin Woodchucks and their local rivals from Wisconsin Rapids. But riding the start of Dylan MacCallum on the mound, the Chucks defeated the Rafters 6-3 at Athletic Park Saturday evening.

The Pepperdine right-handed arm surrendered just two baserunners and took a no-hit effort into the sixth inning. MacCallum retired 13 batters consecutively at one point and was efficient in his 79-pitch appearance, striking out six.

A late Wisconsin Rapids offensive flurry brought the go-ahead run to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth. Geo Camfield earned a one-out save to finish the evening.

The Woodchucks initially appeared to put much of the doubt away in the seventh inning, plating four runs to extend their lead to 6-0. Jacob Burke started the inning with a solo home run to left field, before Antonio Valdez drove home Louie Albrecht and Gino Groover doubled Valdez and Tyler Kehoe in to score.

The Chucks are now 28-19 and 7-5 in the second half of 2021. Wisconsin improves to 6-1 against the Rafters, clinching at least a share of the season series.

A two-run third inning opened the scoring for the Woodchucks. Groover scored Albrecht on a fielding error before scoring off the bat of Kevin Kilpatrick.

The Woodchucks benefited from a Rafters error, but did not commit a defensive error of their own in the 6:05 p.m. matchup. They outhit their foes from Wood County 9-4, even as Wisconsin Rapids added a trio in the ninth.

Top Performers

MacCallum pitched seven scoreless innings. He didn’t allow a hit until the sixth, and earned his second win of the year.

Albrecht was 2-4 with a pair of doubles and runs.

Kilpatrick went 2-4 with an RBI.

Groover had three RBI while going 1-3 with a run and a walk.

Burke had a solo homer while going 1-3 with a walk.

Valdez was 1-2 with a run, RBI and walk.

Next Up

The Woodchucks and Rafters are back in action for the series finale at 1:05 p.m. Sunday. It will be Faith and Family Day at Athletic Park! Join us for fellowship, baseball, and post-game kids run the bases, presented by Yach’s Body & Custom and Grebe’s. The Sunday Dinner Trig’s Family Four Pack will also be available – buy 4 reserved seats, get 4 hot dogs, & 4 bottles of soda for $44!

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.