Wausau, WIS – The Wisconsin Woodchucks fell to the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters 10-3, as the Rafters used a three-run inning and a five-run inning to propel them to victory.
The game remained tied at two for most of the game until the top of the seventh inning when the Rafters (8-9) used one of their big innings to take the lead. Plover native Michael Jurgella blasted a three-run home run to left field off Woodchucks’ (12-8) pitcher Austin Tribby giving them a 5-2 lead.
The Woodchucks tried to rally when they loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning, but couldn’t get the timely hit that they were seeking in the inning.
The Rafters blew the game open with five runs in the top of the ninth inning to secure this one. With six straight hits, the Rafters brought home five runs in the inning to give them a 10-3 lead.
The Woodchucks had plenty of opportunities to draw even early in the game as they stranded 11 runners on base.
The Woodchucks will be off for the next three days as the Northwoods League All-Star festivities begins on Monday in Mequon. Max Ising, Paul DeJong , and Jake Jefferies will represent the Woodchucks on Tuesday during the All-Star Game. The Woodchucks then travel to Michigan to take on Kalamazoo and Battle Creek for a four-game road trip. The Woodchucks won’t return to Athletic Park until Monday, July 28 when the Madison Mallards come to town.
The Wisconsin Woodchucks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwood’s League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwood’s League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 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, more than 115 Northwood’s League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwood’s League YouTube channel. For more information, visit woodchucks.com.