Chucks Prevail in Pitching Duel Over Rockford

WAUSAU, WI – Saturday night’s crowd at Athletic Park was in for a treat, as the Wisconsin Woodchuck pitchers combined for just one run and three hits in a 2-1 win over the Rockford Rivets.

The Chucks needed to escape one big jam in the top of the ninth, where they took a two-run lead into the frame before allowing baserunners on second and third base with just a single out.

But a fielder’s choice and flyout later, the Woodchucks clinched the first tilt of a two-game series.

Starting pitcher Ryan Lobus earned the win and improved his record to 1-1. Geo Camfield pitched the eighth inning before Thomas Kane finished the evening in front of 1,694 fans.

The Chucks go back into first place in the Great Lakes West Division with the win, improving to 11-7.

The Woodchucks opened the game with a run in the bottom of the second, with Griffin Lockwood-Powell scoring Kevin Kilpatrick on a sacrifice fly after a CJ Kayfus’ ground-rule double.

Kayfus drove in his University of Miami teammate Jose Izarra in the fifth with a bases-loaded single to make it 2-0.

The Chucks played error-free baseball in the win.

Top Performers

Lobus went seven scoreless innings, allowing no runs and just a single hit. He struck out five batters while walking just one Saturday night.

Camfield pitched a scoreless eighth inning before Kane allowed an unearned run in the ninth, picking up the save.

Kayfus was 2-4 with a double and an RBI.

Next Up

The Woodchucks conclude their homestead with a 1:05 p.m. first pitch against Rockford on Sunday. For the Father’s Day matchup, enter to win tickets and a car care special with the Ultimate Dad Contest presented by Olson Tire & Auto. One grand prize winner will be announced at the game and will win a set of new tires! It’s also Sunday Dinner Trig’s Family Four Pack – buy 4 reserved seats, get 4 hot dogs, & 4 bottles of soda for $44!

For tickets, call us at 715.845.5055, stop by our front office, or visit woodchucks.com.

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The Wisconsin Woodchucks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The 27-year old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, over 200 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.woodchucks.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Woodchucks as your favorite team.