Wausau, WIS – In the first game of a doubleheader between the Wisconsin Woodchucks and the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, the Woodchucks saw themselves quickly get down by seven runs in the first two innings. The Woodchucks ended up coming back by hitting two home runs to score nine unanswered runs, leading to a final score of 10-7.
The game started much differently from how it ended. The Rafters scored five runs in the first inning. Woodchucks pitcher Trey Horton from Georgia State loaded the bases with three walks and two run-scoring hits. He exited the game as Maddux Solomon from Seminole State College in Florida came in to pitch in the second inning.
Solomon could not quit the Rafters either. Wisconsin Rapids went on to score two more runs in the second inning. Wisconsin Rapids left fielder Richie Schiekofer scored on a fielder’s choice after reaching base with a single. The Woodchucks then committed an error in right field that allowed a Rafters runner to score. This gave Wisconsin Rapids a quick 7-0 lead.
The Woodchucks started to cut down their deficit in the third inning by scoring four runs. Shortstop Kyle Simmon got the inning started by watching four balls and walking. Nate Stinson and Javier Rosario both hit singles to load the bases for the Woodchucks. Kenny Rodriguez then walked to give the Woodchucks their first run of the game. Kaeber Rog continued the scoring by putting the ball in play and forcing the Rafters to throw to first, allowing Nate Stinson to score from third.
Brandon Seltzer then walked after a wild pitch was thrown by Wisconsin Rapids, allowing Javier Rosario to score from third. Wisconsin Rapids then made a pitching change. Still, another walk was committed on a wild pitch, allowing Kenny Rodriguez to score from third. This made the score 7-4 with the Rafters still leading.
Third baseman Adam Frank hit a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning that continued the Woodchucks comeback. The score was then 7-5 with the Rafters leading. Frank is now responsible for three of the Woodchucks five home runs this season.
The Woodchucks finally took their first lead of the game in the seventh inning when Brandon Seltzer hit a three-run home run to give them a tight 8-7 lead. This was Seltzer’s second home run in two games after he also hit a two-run home run in last night’s game against Fond du Lac.
Angel Tiburcio came on to pitch for the Woodchucks in the seventh inning. He pitched through the eighth inning and shut down the Rafters. The Florida International University product gave up zero hits and zero runs when the Woodchucks needed it most.
The Woodchucks added two insurance runs in the ninth inning to give them a 10-7 lead. The Rafters committed two errors that allowed the Woodchucks to get runners on base and hit them in by a number of ground balls that forced the Rafters to throw to first on a fielder’s choice. Kenny Rodriguez and Javier Rosario scored each of the Woodchucks’ ninth inning runs.
With a 10-7 lead, Tom Ambrosino came on to close out the game in the bottom of the ninth inning for the Woodchucks. The Adelphi University product had one save coming into the matchup and added yet another to his statistics. He sealed the deal for the Woodchucks to score 10 unanswered runs and beat the Rafters by a score of 10-7.
Both teams will now head over to Wausau to play the second game of the double-header. First pitch will be at 6:35 PM at Athletic Park.
Top Performers
Brandon Seltzer hit a three-run home run to give the Woodchucks a tight 8-7 lead in the seventh inning. This was Seltzer’s second home run in two games after he also hit a two-run home run in last night’s game against Fond du Lac. Seltzer finished the game 2-3 with 4 RBI.
Third baseman Adam Frank hit a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning that continued the Woodchucks comeback. The score was then 7-5 with the Rafters leading. Frank is now responsible for three of the Woodchucks five home runs this season. He finished the game 2-5 with one RBI.
Tom Ambrosino came on to close out the game in the bottom of the ninth inning for the Woodchucks. The Adelphi University product had one save coming into the matchup and added yet another to his statistics. He sealed the deal for the Woodchucks to score 10 unanswered runs and beat the Rafters by a score of 10-7.
Next Up
The Wisconsin Woodchucks and the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters will complete their double-header with a game tonight. This time, they will be playing in Wausau at Athletic Park. First pitch is scheduled at 6:35 PM with gates opening one hour before. It will be Wausau Youth Baseball & Softball Night. The Woodchucks will then round out their three-game homestand with a matchup tomorrow on Wednesday, June 12 against the Green Bay Booyah. The game will include a visit from everyone’s favorite henchmen! The Minions will be visiting Athletic Park to cheer on the Woodchucks. Minions Night will be presented by Culver’s Restaurant. The Woodchucks will then hit the road for four straight games with matchups in Green Bay and Madison. 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 25-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.