The Wausau Woodchucks are hitting the reset button as the second half of the 2025 Northwoods League season begins, hoping to build on a strong campaign during the first half of the season.

The Woodchucks finished the first half with a 21-14 record, one of only 10 teams in the league to win 20 or more games in the half. Wausau finished second in the Great Lakes West division, with the Green Bay Rockers clinching the first half title and a Northwoods League playoff spot with a clutch win streak at the end of the first half. Wausau went 15-10 against division opponents in the half.  

The Woodchucks started the season by winning 10 of their first 16 games. That included a 6-4 win over the Royal Oak Leprechauns, which was the 1000th Northwoods League regular season win in Woodchucks franchise history. Wausau also beat the Madison Mallards in walk-off fashion, 6-5 in a ten-inning game on June 6. First half pitcher Mason Morello (New York University/Fordham) pitched a complete game, nine inning shutout— the first Woodchuck to do so in nine years, in an 11-0 win at Lakeshore. 

However, midway through the first half, the Woodchucks had to endure a 10-game road trip, the longest road trip of any team in the Northwoods League this season. The Woodchucks finished that road trip with a winning record of 6-4 but couldn’t string enough wins down the stretch to clinch a first half title. 

While the Woodchucks did not win the first half, the team still proved they were one of the most complete teams in the Northwoods League, especially their offense. Wausau scored 273 total runs during the first half, more than any other Northwoods League team. They also led the league in RBIs (244) and on base percentage (.413). Wausau stole 134 bases in the first half, which also led the Northwoods League. The Woodchucks are aiming to steal 200 bases in a single season for the first time in franchise history and become the fifth team in Northwoods League history to do so. 

The pitching followed suit. Wausau had a top five team ERA in the league in the first half, which sat at 4.75. The Woodchucks issued the second least amount of walks in the league (163) and had a top five team WHIP (1.50). Multiple relief pitchers stood out in the first half, including Landon Sexton (USC Upstate), Garrett Landry (Stephen F. Austin) and closer Reece Clapp (Bradley/Illinois State)

So, for Wausau to make the Northwoods League playoffs for the fourth time in the last five years, they will need to beat out four other Great Lakes West teams: Wisconsin Rapids, Lakeshore, Fond du Lac, and their rivals, Madison. The Woodchucks would need to either win the second half, or, if first-half champions Green Bay wins the second half, have the second-best overall record in the Great Lakes West. 

The Woodchucks are counting on several familiar faces from last year’s historic team—many of whom are already off to strong starts this season. That begins with team captain Christian Smith-Johnson (Texas A&M-CC). The Woodchucks’ center fielder had a top-five batting average in the Northwoods League in the first half and led the league in stolen bases for the first three weeks of the season. Smith-Johnson matched a long-standing milestone, tying Steele Walker’s 2016 franchise record of 23 consecutive games with a hit— a streak that ended right at the end of the first half.

He’s joined by three other returners. Max Soliz Jr. (Kansas) started slow, but got incredibly hot at the end of the first half. Soliz ended the first half hitting .500 in his final 10 games, with five home runs and 20 RBIs. Finest in the Field Award winner and fan favorite Jake Berkland (Minnesota State-Mankato) brought a winning mentality at shortstop late in the first half and will get a chance to play all of the games in the second half.

Last, but certainly not least, 2024 Northwoods League All-Star MVP and Home Run Derby Champion Max Galvin (Miami) will play a part in the Woodchucks’ playoff push. He ended the first half with the Woodchucks and will begin the second half after playing a crucial part in Miami’s NCAA regional championship title during the spring. 

The Woodchucks will also continue to be paced by a couple of new faces that have made themselves regulars in the Wausau lineup. Dylan Schlotterback (Paris JC/Kansas) had one of the best first halves of any player in the Northwoods League, finishing in the top 15 in hits, stolen bases, walks, and RBIs. 

Noah Malone (Loyola Marymount) joined the team in Mid-June, and had a .378 batting average, along with a .703 slugging percentage in the first half. He’s taken his game to a new level ever since moving to the leadoff spot and hit three home runs in a single game in Wausau’s 17-7 win over Lakeshore, the third player in Woodchucks franchise history to do so.  

The Woodchucks begin the second half against the Kalamazoo Growlers, the final time they will face a Great Lakes East opponent in the regular season. After that, the Woodchucks will exclusively play Great Lakes West opponents. They also have an advantage, as they are scheduled to play 20 of their 36 second-half games at home. 

After the All-Star break, Wausau will play seven straight games at home—the longest homestand of the season. A five-game road trip will follow, before the Woodchucks play three straight home games to end the month of July and begin the month of August. After that, Wausau will play three more home games, hosting Fond du Lac on Tuesday, August 5, and then Wisconsin Rapids on Friday, August 8, and Saturday, August 9, to end the regular season.

Fans can also look forward to special promotions during this stretch, including Princess day on July 20th, Fireworks Nights on July 18th (Presented by WI Chevy Dealers), August 1st (Cellcom), and August 8th (Crystal Finishing Systems). Plus, the Woodchucks have some exciting giveaways: Bobbleheads on July 19th (Presented by Aspirus), Rope Hats on July 23rd (WI Lottery), Bobbleheads on July 24th (Thorogood), Pickleball Paddles on July 31st (Festival Foods) and a Hooded T-Shirt on August 5th (Miller Lite).

Should the Woodchucks win the second half and secure a Northwoods League playoff spot, they would begin postseason play the very next day by beginning a three-game series with the Green Bay Rockers on Sunday, August 10. The Great Lakes Division Championship Game is scheduled for Wednesday, August 13, and the Northwoods League Championship game is scheduled for Thursday, August 14.

If the Woodchucks hope to avenge last season and complete their unfinished business by capturing the franchise’s third Northwoods League championship, it starts with a return to the playoffs. That means every second-half game is crucial—and fans won’t want to miss a moment at Athletic Park. Fans can purchase their tickets to 2025 Wausau Woodchucks games by visiting woodchucks.com.