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Published On: August 7th, 2026

WAUSAU LOSS, LAKESHORE WALK-OFF WIN KNOCK WOODCHUCKS OUT OF POSTSEASON CONTENTION

WAUSAU, WI- For the first time since 2023, the Woodchucks will not be playing in the postseason, following an 8-7 loss at home Friday night to the Minnesota Mud Puppies, and results elsewhere going against Wausau in the playoff race.

Wausau’s defeat and Lakeshore’s walk-off victory over the Rockford Rivets confirmed the Chinooks as second half Great Lakes West champions, eliminating Wausau from playoff contention on the second to last day of the season. The Woodchucks, despite having the best overall record in the Great Lakes West, miss out on the playoffs, with the second-best record in the division in both the first half and the second half.

Keagen Jirschele (South Dakota State) finished 2-3 with an RBI, reaching four times and scoring twice in the defeat. Joey McLaughlin (Arkansas State) also reached four times, going 1-2 and scoring two runs of his own. On the mound, Brett Foss (Arkansas State) had a stellar final outing of his collegiate career, going seven innings on 103 total pitches, striking out eight, and walking just one hitter.

THE HIGHLIGHTS

The Woodchucks struck in their first inning at the plate again. After Keagen Jirschele and Joey McLaughlin both reached base, Jackson Petsche (Southeastern CC/LSU-New Orleans) drove in the opening run of the game on an RBI single. Ryan Chase (Santa Fe CC/Kansas) was the next hitter, and while he hit into a double play, another run scored on the play to make it 2-0.

The Mud Puppies then struck in the second inning with three runs to take the lead, and for a large portion of the game, 3-2 remained the score. Then, in the sixth, Wausau tied the game on an RBI single from Bryce Hubbard (Oregon State), and took the lead in the seventh thanks to an RBI hit from Brayden Mazzacano (Illinois/Northern Illinois).

But the eighth inning stunned Athletic Park. After the Mud Puppies took four walks, and brought the tying run home, back-to-back two-RBI doubles gave Minnesota a shock 8-4 lead, one the Woodchucks would be unable to recover from.

However, Wausau gave everything they had until the final pitch. In the ninth, the Woodchucks took five consecutive free passes, with Petsche and Jirschele earning RBIs in the frame to cut the deficit to two. Ryan Chase earned an RBI on a groundout to make the score 8-7, and later in the inning, runners were at second and third base, with two outs. However, a groundout ended the game, and the Woodchucks’ season.

NOTES AND NUMBERS

  • Wausau’s 43-22 record is the best record in the Northwoods League from any team that did not make the playoffs.
  • Peyton Firgens (McClennan CC/Mississippi State), with a base hit in the seventh inning, extended his on base streak to 29 games in contests which he has started.
  • Wausau native Davis Winter (Northwestern MN) made his Woodchuck debut at Athletic Park in the defeat, reaching twice on a hit-by-pitch and a walk while he was at the plate.
  • After the Woodchucks gained a game in the playoff race following one-run results in both their game and Lakeshore’s game last night, they lost a game in the playoff race following two more one-run results tonight.

WHAT’S NEXT

Wausau drops to 43-22, and now moves to 22-13 in the second half. Following tonight’s results, the Lakeshore Chinooks have been confirmed as 2026 Great Lakes West second half champions. The Woodchucks congratulate all eight teams that advanced to the 2026 Northwoods League playoffs, and wish the league the best of luck as the postseason begins on Sunday.

Before then, though, the Woodchucks will play their final regular season game of the summer, against the Minnesota Mud Puppies, at Athletic Park, with first pitch scheduled for 5:05 p.m. Fans are encouraged to come out and celebrate another incredibly successful summer of baseball in Wausau, and in addition, it’s Firefighter Appreciation Night! Fans can come support those who serve our community and keep us safe! Tickets are on sale for the final Woodchucks home game of the summer now, and fans can purchase them online at woodchucks.com.