Wausau, WIS – The Wisconsin Woodchucks used a total team effort to hold off a late surge from the Lakeshore Chinooks winning 6-5.
The Woodchucks got out to a great start leading 3-0 after four complete innings thanks to two RBIs from Paul DeJong and one RBI from Connor Beck.
The sixth inning saw a total of four home runs in it; however, three of those home runs belonged to Lakeshore. Brett Siddall, Brant Valach, and Ryan Krill all went deep in the inning for the Chinooks to take over with a 4-3 lead.
The Woodchucks responded with a two run inning in the bottom of the sixth. A two-run blast from Ryan Howard gave back the lead to the Woodchucks now with a 5-4 lead.
The Woodchucks got a much needed insurance run in the bottom of the seventh inning when Woodchuck newcomer Blair Beck dumped a single into right field scoring Zak Leighton.
The insurance run was much needed as Valach again went deep for the Chinooks in the top of the ninth inning. Austin Tribby struck out the next batter to close the game out and record his third save of the season.
The Woodchucks will welcome the Kenosha Kingfish tomorrow night for a crucial series at Athletic Park. Both teams are fighting for a playoff position. First pitch is set for 7:05.
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.
