Bats Quiet Late in Road Loss
MADISON, Wis. – After letting an early lead slip away, the Wausau Woodchucks (29-28) couldn’t find the late offense to match the Madison Mallards (24-34) in a 6-4 loss at Warner Park Friday night.
After overcoming a three-run deficit yesterday, the Chucks were on the other end of a comeback in game two of the series.
The Woodchucks scored all four of their runs in the fourth inning, a rally sparked by singles from Bradley Comer (UW-Stevens Point) and Camden Janik (Illinois). A bases-loaded walk by Zach Kluvers (North Dakota State) got the visitors on the board before an error plated Dwight Allen (Georgia) to give them the lead.
Hagen Escoto (Seattle) did not start the game but replaced Chase Hug (Evansville) in the third. With two outs in the fourth, he delivered a two-RBI single to drive in both Kluvers and Tyler Cox (Eckerd).
Woodchucks starter Aidan Major (West Virginia) showed good command in his final outing of the summer. The righty struck out four and allowed two runs (one earned) in five innings. After the Mallards cut the deficit to 4-2 in the fifth, Major stranded two runners with a key strikeout. Madison left six men on base in the game’s first five innings.
But in the sixth, the Mallards rallied. A pair of infield singles and a controversial safe call on a fielder’s choice loaded the bases, and Madison scored on a passed ball to make it 4-3.
The Mallards then took the lead on a two-RBI single and rode their bullpen the rest of the way. Bryce Leedle (St. Thomas) struck out eight Woodchucks over 3.1 innings in relief.
In the eighth, a Woodchuck rally ended when closer Steven Lacey (Delta State) stranded two runners. He struck out the side in the ninth to earn a save and give Madison a series split.
The Woodchucks lead the season series 6-4, and will play the Mallards again in the final two games of the season Aug. 12 and 13.
Up Next
The Woodchucks travel to Fond du Lac tomorrow to begin a pivotal series with the Dock Spiders as the two teams vie for the second playoff spot in the Great Lakes West division. Their next home games are Sunday July 31 against the Dock Spiders and Monday Aug. 1 against the Kenosha Kingfish. Tickets can be purchased online at woodchucks.com.
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