WAUSAU EXCELLENT IN ALL PHASES TO KNOCK OFF CHINOOKS AT ATHLETIC PARK

WAUSAU, WI— The Wausau Woodchucks put together a top-class performance in all areas on Tuesday night at Athletic Park, as they downed the Lakeshore Chinooks 8-3 in the first meeting between both teams this summer.

Offensively, four players had multi-hit games for the Woodchucks, including Jake Berkland (Minnesota State-Mankato/Transfer Portal) and Chris Patterson (Missouri/Transfer Portal). Berkland reached three times, with two RBIs, four stolen bases and three runs scored, all while making multiple impressive defensive plays in the field. Patterson had two RBIs as well, with a double and a run scored in the win.

On the mound, Brady Wright (Santa Fe CC/Tampa) showed great execution in his third relief appearance of the season. Wright threw three scoreless innings, walking two hitters and striking out two. Broden Jackson (Madison CC/Creighton) made his first appearance of his second season in Wausau, and kept the Chinooks at bay in the final two innings, surrendering no hits and collecting two strikeouts.

THE HIGHLIGHTS

As it has been in many recent games, Wausau pulled in front at the first opportunity. In the bottom of the first, Jake Berkland reached on a hit by pitch, stole second base, and advanced all the way to home on a groundout by Ryan Chase (Santa Fe CC/Kansas). Lakeshore tied the game in the bottom of the first, but Wausau took the lead back for good thanks to an RBI single by Chris Patterson, which brought the speedy Joey McLaughlin (Arkansas State) home.

The Woodchucks tagged on more in the third. Jake Berkland reached on an infield single, and after Jace Souza (Texas Tech) walked, and the two put together a double steal to move to second and third base, Ryan Chase brought Berkland in with an RBI single. Then, Wausau executed another double steal, where Ryan Chase acted as a decoy to steal second base, allowing Souza to steal home and make it 4-1.

Lakeshore hit a two-run home run in the top of the fourth to get within one run of the Woodchucks, but that was as close as they would come. Wausau opened the game up with a four-run bottom of the fourth, with an RBI double from Chris Patterson, a two-RBI base hit for Jake Berkland, and another RBI single for Ryan Chase. Wausau held off Lakeshore from there with excellent defense and pitching to secure the victory.

NOTES AND NUMBERS 

• Wausau is now an undefeated 6-0 when scoring multiple runs in at least one inning.
• Tonight was the second game this season where Wausau’s bullpen did not allow a run to cross the plate.
• Wausau moves to a perfect 8-0 when Carter White takes the mound after his start in tonight’s game.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Woodchucks improve to 6-2 this season, and once again will hold sole possession of first place of the Great Lakes West Division at the end of the night. With Green Bay’s loss, the Woodchucks now lead each team in the division by at least a game and a half, with Fond du Lac taking second place in the standings. The Woodchucks continue their homestand tomorrow night, when they look for their first two-game sweep at Athletic Park this season at 6:05 against the Lakeshore Chinooks.

It will be an exciting night, as it’s Cowboys and Space Rangers Night at Athletic Park with a special appearance from our very own Cowboy and Space Ranger. Fans can get a ticket and access to a special Meet & Greet with these characters for just $15! Also, fans can select a time to attend the meet and greet, located pregame in the Pepsi Tailgate Pavilion. Each time slot lasts for 30 minutes. Themed t-shirts will also be available for purchase in the retail store. On top of all of that, it’s “White Claw Wednesday”, as fans can enjoy White Claw specials throughout the park! Fans can purchase tickets for this game and all home games at Athletic Park in the 2026 season online at woodchucks.com