A historic start with broken records on and off the field, the 2024 season was one to remember! The Woodchucks put up franchise best numbers and made history all year long.
The return of Corey Thompson for his third season was something special. His coaching staff was much like 2022, with Nolan Atkins back for his second season and Kelton Caldwell back for his third. Gannon Ruckman joined the staff for his first season in the Northwoods.
The Chucks finished the regular season with the most wins in a single-season in franchise history, with a record of 50-19. They beat out Madison for the #1 overall spot in the NWL, in a race that came all the way down to the wire in the very last game of the season. They returned to post-season play.
The Chucks finished top 5 in most offensive categories, including 2nd in AVG and 4th in RBIs.
Max Galvin led the pack in hitting with 84 hits, 18 doubles, and 13 home runs, far and away from any other Woodchuck. Galvin secured the franchise single-season record for RBI and tied the record for runs scored. In the overall ranking in the NWL he finished top 5 or 10 in most offensive categories, including 2nd for hits and home runs.
From the mound, the Chucks arms achieved greatness, finishing 3rd overall in ERA. They finished 2nd in strikeouts, and tied for first in wins. As a crew the Chucks pitching-staff also set a new franchise single-season record in strikeouts at 633, blowing the old record of 593 out of the water.
Individual stars from the mound were Adiel Melendez, Jorge Decardenas, and Carsen Plumadore, all of whom earned All-Star selections. Decardenas, despite leaving in the second half, still led the team in strikeouts with 49.
The Chucks had a Great Lakes best seven All-Stars, with the Woodchucks coaching staff chosen to lead the Great Lakes division. Max Galvin (U of Miami), Max Soliz Jr. (Kansas) and Isaac Webb were the batters chosen. Adiel Melendez (U of Montevallo), Grant Seigel (UCF), Carsen Plumadore (Georgia Southwestern St.) and Jorge Decardenas (Charlotte) were the pitchers selected. Johnny Amonica (Keiser) also made an appearance in the All-Star game.
Along with all of the winning, the Chucks enjoyed theme nights like ‘Friends Night’, Minion Night, Scooby Doo Day and even a couple of visits by Bluey and friends. The Woodchucks also broke records in the box office, selling more tickets than any other season and averaging 1300 fans a game!
In 2024, more than 10,000 beers were purchased at concession stands, along with 3,248 hot dogs and 1,509 cheese curds.
Season Highlights
Opening Day Victory (5/27): For the first time since 2021, the Chucks won on opening day in what was also their home opener. They defeated the returning NWL Champion Green Bay Rockers 7-5. Drew Berkland (U of Minnesota) hit the first HR of the season, a go-ahead shot in the 8th inning with his brother Jake Berkland (Mankato) on base.
Winning From the Start (5/27-6/5): The Chucks won nine straight games to record their best winning streak to start a season in franchise history. The previous best was six wins set in 2005.
Explosive Start to June (6/1): On the first day of June, the Chucks defeated Wisconsin Rapids 17-10. They had a season best 20 hits and four home runs. Galvin and Soliz Jr. had four-hit days, and Soliz hit his first homer of the season.
Flooding the Great Plains (6/12-6/16): The team headed West to play the Eau Claire Express, Duluth Huskies, and Thunder Bay Border Cats. The road trip of five games was incredible, as the Chucks won all five.
Alone at The Top – Corey Thompson wins Game 104 (6/24): The Chucks defeated Green Bay 12-5 from Athletic Park and Corey Thompson passed Steve Foster for most wins by a manager in franchise history at 104. Edwin Alicea (Nova Southeastern) threw five innings and got his fourth win. Trey Gambill (U of Oklahoma) hit a three run home run as the Chucks cruised to a win.
A Sellout at Athletic Park (6/30): The Woodchucks welcomed 1853 fans to Athletic Park – a sellout crowd on a Sunday!
Chucks Win the First Half in a Battle for the Record Books (7/1): The Chucks traveled to Madison with the playoff spot on the line. One win would secure the spot, and Adiel Melendez and Jorge Decardenas made sure it happened. Melendez threw 6.2 innings with 10 strikeouts, and Decardeans threw 3.1 innings with nine strikeouts. Galvin singled in the 10th inning to score Isaac Webb and the Chucks led 2-1. Decardenas struck out the last three batters to make it nine straight retired with a strikeout. The Chucks won the first half title for the first time since 2012.
Season High in Runs (7/7): In a Sunday day game the Chucks scored six runs in the first, then two runs in every other inning. Max Soliz Jr. went 5-5 with two home runs and earned NWL Player of the Night. Vance Sheahan (U of South Carolina Upstate) made his debut and had three hits and four RBI. Alicea went five innings with a season best eight strikeouts and got his fifth win (5-0).
No-Hits No Runs on The Ducks (7/17): In game one of what was a double header of two seven inning ball games, Grant Siegel threw the first and only no-hitter of the season for the Chucks. He earned his fourth win of the season as the Chucks won 3-0. The Woodchucks also recognized and celebrated Team President/GM Ryan Treu at the game on July 17th for his 20th season with the Woodchucks!
Chucks Overtake Mankato – All-Star Week (7/22 – 7/24): The All-Star break started with the HR Derby, in which Galvin and Soliz Jr. would participate in. Soliz hit the third most in the contest with 13, and Galvin was the individual champion with 15. The Great Lakes won the HR Derby contest and the ASG which was the next day. Soliz and Galvin both had hits and scored runs. Melendez and Plumadore both made appearances. Galvin won the MVP award for hitting two doubles and leading the Great Lakes to a 9-2 win.
Win #45 (8/4): After losing three straight for the first time, and receiving their first sweep of the year, the Chucks bounced back in Madison with their 45th win on the season. It broke the franchise record of most wins in a season, also set by Corey Thompson in 2021. Caleb White (Georgia St.) moved to 5-0 after tossing four scoreless innings.
Second Half All-Stars (8/10): Galvin and Plumadore were named as second-half all stars, with Max Galvin breaking the franchise record for most RBI in a season. Corey Thompson wins Manager of the Year for the first time in his NWL career, and Kelton Caldwell is named Coach of the Year for the Woodchucks’ hitting performance.
A Heartbreaking End (8/11-8/13): The Woodchucks played round 1 of the NWL Playoffs against the Madison Mallards. The Woodchucks took game one at Warner Park, 5-1. Jake Berkland smashed his very first home run in his entire baseball career, a 3 run bomb. The Woodchucks lost the next two at home in heartbreaking fashion, bringing an incredible season to its end.
What’s Next?
Thank you to all the fans, superfans, host families, interns, coaches, and players for a spectacular 2024 season. Even though it didn’t end how we wanted, this season was still one of massive success, and we’re already looking forward to next summer!
Be sure to lookout for the 2025 schedule release later this year, and make sure to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok to stay up to date on the Chucks during the offseason.