RYAN CHASE, BRADY WRIGHT WIN WITH GREAT LAKES DIVISION AT \u201cFIELD OF DREAMS\u201d MOVIE SITE<\/b><\/p>\n
DYERSVILLE, IA\u2014 For Woodchucks first baseman Ryan Chase (Santa Fe CC\/Kansas) and Brady Wright (Santa Fe CC\/Transfer Portal), Tuesday and Wednesday were like a dream come true.<\/p>\n
The two roommates at Santa Fe College and best freinds represented the Great Lakes Division together at the 2026 Northwoods League All-Star Game, played at the \u201cField of Dreams\u201d movie site in Dyersville, IA. The game was played on a brand new, state-of-the art field next to the original movie site, a field that will play host to the Dyersville Dreamers, a new Northwoods League set to debut in 2027.<\/p>\n
Not only did Ryan Chase participate in the All-Star Game, but he was also a contestant in the 2026 Northwoods League Home Run Challenge on the Great Lakes Division team. While the Great Lakes lost the challenge, Chase had two home runs in the contest, an impressive number with the field mimicking major-league dimensions in length. Kyle Panganiban (Willmar) was the individual Home Run Challenge champion with 11 home runs.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, Wright and Chase made important contributions for the Great Lakes Division as they defeated the Great Plains, 4-2, in the All-Star Game. Chase started the game at first base, and took a walk to reach base in the game. He also had a putout in the game and helped turn a double play to keep the Great Plains offense quiet.<\/p>\n
Brady Wright faced only two hitters, and arguably got the two most impressive outs of the entire game. In the bottom of the third, he got Northwoods League RBI leader Jalen Smith (Duluth) to fly out, and then forced a lineout from the league leader in batting average, Sam Harry (Rochester). The Great Lakes trailed in the game, but came back to win, and the game was called in the top of the eighth inning due to rain. Prince DeBoskie (Richmond) was named the All-Star Game MVP.<\/p>\n
Wright was named to the Northwoods League All-Star Game after picking up five wins before the All-Star break, more than any other pitcher in the league. Wright made just one start but had 32 total strikeouts in 26.2 innings of work. Wright had seven different appearances where he struck out three or more hitters.<\/p>\n
Ryan Chase got his All-Star selection through an excellent summer at the plate. The sophomore leads all active Woodchucks in hits, runs scored, extra-base hits, home runs, and RBIs. He\u2019s also registered 15 multi-hit games, and played in all but five games for Wausau before the All-Star break.<\/p>\n
In addition, there was a Woodchucks legend in attendance to take in all the action. The Northwoods League had featured guest Ben Zobrist throw out the first pitch before the All-Star Game. Zobrist played for the Woodchucks in 2003, when Wausau last won the Northwoods League title. He then continued his decorated career in the MLB, where he was the World Series MVP for the Chicago Cubs in their famous 2016 championship run.<\/p>\n
“My summer there was a very special summer, and ever since then, I’ve received nothing but love from the Wausau and the Central Wisconsin community,” Zobrist said. “It’s definitely something that I think fondly on, and I look forward to coming back again sometime.”<\/p>\n
The selections continue the standard of excellence for Corey Thompson, who was once a coach at the All-Star game for the Great Lakes Division back in 2024. With Wright and Chase being selected this season, there have now been 14 All-Star selections from Wausau with Thompson at the helm. Chase also became the 19th Woodchuck since 2010 to participate in the Northwoods League Home Run Challenge.<\/p>\n
But in the end, the moment belongs to the two roommates, who have both helped each other reach this level of success.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust getting to experience everything over the last two and a half years with this guy, it\u2019s truly been such an amazing experience I\u2019m truly grateful for,\u201d Wright said. \u201cDidn\u2019t know him going into Santa Fe, didn\u2019t really talk to him the first few months, but I\u2019m happy we got really close freshman year in the spring, and this is really just a dream come true, getting to do this all with my best friend.\u201d<\/p>\n