2025 marks the 32nd straight season of Woodchucks baseball in the Northwoods League—part of a baseball tradition at historic Athletic Park that stretches all the way back to 1912.
The Woodchucks come into this season looking to build from one of their best seasons in franchise history last year.
The Woodchucks dominated last year, notching a franchise-best 50 wins—the most in the Northwoods League. They won the first half title in the Great Lakes West Division, meaning the Woodchucks advanced to the Northwoods League playoffs for the third time in the last four seasons.
Wausau had an amazing start to the season, winning their first nine games of the season. After that, they never looked back. The Woodchucks were led by a league-best seven Northwoods League All-Stars (Max Galvin, Max Soliz, Jr., Isaac Webb, Adiel Melendez, Grant Seigel, Carson Plumadore, Johnny Amonica). Max Galvin also won the All-Star Game MVP Award. Two Woodchucks (Jake Berkland, Max Galvin) were awarded “Best in the Field” honors for their defensive efforts during the season.
The Chucks finished as a top five team in the entire Northwoods League for several statistical categories. That included batting average, runs, hits, RBI, home runs, ERA. They also broke multiple team records, including most team strikeouts in a single season (633) and single-season RBIs from a single player (Max Galvin, 70). The Woodchucks’ fans made a big impact too—more tickets were sold at Athletic Park last year than ever before in franchise history!
But the summer did not finish the way Wausau wanted it to. Their rivals, the Madison Mallards, eliminated them in Divisional Round in the Northwoods League Playoffs after a dramatic best-of-three series. The loss was a crushing end to a phenomenal season.
So as the 2025 season approaches, the motto for the team is clear: unfinished business. That effort begins with the return of several core pieces from last season’s roster.
One of those is Wausau’s legendary head coach, Corey Thompson. The fourth-year Woodchucks skipper returns to the helm after winning the Northwoods League Manager of the Year Award last season, and coaching in the Northwoods League All-Star Game with the Great Lakes Division. He also became the winningest coach in Woodchucks franchise history last year. However, he’s still hungry for more success:
“I want to win a championship in Wausau for Wausau,” Thompson said. “That city has been nothing but exceptional. The fans have treated me great.”
Two key returners will anchor the Woodchucks lineup at Athletic Park this summer: shortstop Jake Berkland (Minnesota State-Mankato) and outfielder Christian Smith-Johnson (Texas A&M-CC). Berkland, one of the league’s top defensive shortstops in 2024, returns with added offensive firepower after batting .316 this spring. Smith-Johnson also impressed during his most recent college season with several highlight-reel catches. Together, they aim to set the tone and lead the way for the 2025 squad.
Wausau will also get some help on the mound. The Woodchucks signed Sam Nitzke after his breakout season last year in the Northwoods League with the Badlands Big Sticks. Nitzke was selected as a Northwoods League All-Star after posting a 4.04 ERA in 35 and two-thirds innings pitched. Nitzke grew up in Wausau and went to Woodchucks games as a kid, so it will be a homecoming for him when he plays at Athletic Park this season.
There will be plenty of other new faces that will don the Woodchucks jersey this summer. That includes another local kid, Mosinee’s Keagan Jirschele, who comes after a strong freshman campaign at South Dakota State. He led Mosinee to the WIAA Division 4 state championship in 2024. Evansville’s Charlie Longmeier could be a big bat in the Woodchucks’ lineup. He had 21 XBH, 7 home runs, and drove in 36 runs this spring with the Purple Aces.
The Woodchucks’ 2025 schedule brings a fresh look, with matchups against just eight different teams during the regular season. Wausau will face each of their five Great Lakes West Division rivals—Madison, Wisconsin Rapids, Green Bay, Fond du Lac, and Lakeshore—12 times apiece. They’ll also take on three teams from the Great Lakes East Division—Royal Oak, Kenosha, and the reigning Northwoods League champions, the Kalamazoo Growlers—four times each. Wausau begins its season with three consecutive road games before playing eight of their next nine games at home.
The stage is set for one of the most anticipated seasons in Wausau Woodchucks history! You can follow the Woodchucks all season long by streaming games on NorthwoodsLeague.com, the NWL+ app, and ESPN. Of course, you can always grab a seat at Athletic Park to watch the Woodchucks at home in 2025! Tickets are available now on woodchucks.com.
The season starts on Memorial Day, May 26th, as Wausau hits the road to face Kenosha, and the Woodchucks’ home opener will be Thursday, May 29th, at 6:05 p.m. against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters.
It’s now time to see if the Woodchucks can complete their unfinished business and win their third Northwoods League Championship in team history.