Wausau, WIS – Nick Loftin’s two-run blast in the bottom of the eighth gave the Wisconsin Woodchucks a 2-1 comeback win over the Battle Creek Bombers in a crucial South Division matchup at Athletic Park of two teams that entered the contest tied for second place.
The Bombers took a 1-0 lead in the third, but Chucks’ starter Jake Gross held firm from there, giving up only two hits and one run through five, while striking out two.
Joey Hennessey kept the Bombers in check through the eighth, striking out two in his three innings of work.
After the first two Chucks were retired in the bottom of the eighth, pinch hitter Peter Ahn laced a double to the right-center field gap. Loftin followed with the heroics on a home run over the left field wall, giving the Chucks a 2-1 lead.
The Bombers got the first two runners on base in the ninth against Chucks closer Lenny Gwizdala, but he shut the door from there to earn his ninth save.
Top Performers
Woodchuck pitchers allowed only four hits in the game, with Hennessey earning his second win with three scoreless innings of relief.
Cooper Swanson, along with Ahn and Loftin’s back-to-back hits in the eighth, recorded the three hits for the Woodchucks in the game.
Next Up
The Wisconsin Woodchucks remain home at Athletic Park on Thursday July 19th as they host the Kalamazoo Growlers. First pitch is at 6:35. Rally Entertainment will provide on-field entertainment and in-crowd interaction, as well as autographs following the game. For tickets, call us at 715.845.5055, stop by our front office, or visit woodchucks.com