Chucks Win Comeback Victory over Chinooks

The Woodchucks bats got off to a slow start, only having three hits during the first five innings. Chucks pitcher Ben Abernathy (WVU) held down the fort, powering through a fast five innings with four strikeouts and only giving up two runs during the bottom of the 2nd to the Chinooks.

Nate Madej (Florida Southern) came in to relieve Abernathy during the top of the 6th, striking out three of the first four batters he faced. The Chucks bats then exploded into action in the bottom of the 6th, starting with Hunter Dorraugh (San Jose State) being walked, then being advanced to second on a single to right field by Mark Shallenberger (Evansvile). Michael Brooks (Central Florida) launched a double to left field on a two-out rally to drive Dorraugh in for the Chucks’ first run of the night. Zach Levenson followed suit, driving in two runs on a single to left field to bring the Woodchucks up to a 3-2 lead over the Chinooks.

A two-run home run, followed by a single with bases loaded to drive in one more run during the top of the 8th by the Chinooks, put them back ahead of the Woodchucks before Carter Heninger () came in to relieve Madej, giving up one more run before shutting down the Chinooks with a strikeout for the third out. The Chucks retaliated in force by managing to plate two runs in the bottom of the 8th, heading into the 9th only down by one with a score of 6-5.

Heninger sliced the Chinooks apart in the top of the 9th, brutally striking out all three batters. Brent Widder () started off strong for the Chucks in the bottom of the 9th with a single to third base, then advanced to second after Dorraugh was hit in the back by a pitch. Shallenberger drove in both Widder and Dorraugh in to score off of a walk-off double launched into center field, giving the Chucks the comeback win over the Chinooks with a final score of 7-6.

Up Next

The Woodchucks will return to Athletic Park tomorrow, June 28th at 6:35pm to take on the Lakeshore Chinooks again. Tomorrow’s game is the Medical Professional Appreciation Night! Medical Professionals can get tickets to the game for only $5. Tickets can be purchased online at https://wausau-woodchucks.nwltickets.com/ or by calling 715.845.5055.

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The Wausau Woodchucks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 28th season, the Northwoods 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 280 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com. For more information, visit woodchucks.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rockers as your favorite team.