Wausau, WIS – The Wisconsin Woodchucks blew out the Kalamazoo Growlers 20-1 at Athletic Park Friday behind three home runs and stellar pitching, earning the Chucks a four-game sweep of the Growlers.
The Woodchucks started off the second inning with a single from Mason Fishback. Ryan Day and Keenan Eaton both walked with one out to load the bases for Taylor Kohlwey, who delivered a double to left field scoring Fishback and Day. Eaton and Kohlwey both scored on a single from Ty Black, and Black proceeded to score on a single from Albee Weiss.
Wisconsin scored five more runs in the third. LJ Hatch and Day led off with walks, and Kohlwey scored Hatch with a sacrifice fly. Then, Black was hit by a pitch and Jared Oliva reached on an error, loading the bases for Yusuke Akitoshi. Akitoshi came through by blasting his second home run of the season, a grand slam, putting the Chucks up 10-0.
The Woodchucks got their third five-run inning of the night in the fifth. Eaton singled and Kohlwey walked before Black plated Eaton with a groundout. Kohlwey scored on a single from Oliva. Albee Weiss followed with a double before Fishback hit a three-run bomb, making it 15-0 Wisconsin.
The scoring was not done just yet. Ty Black and Troy Traxler – who replaced Oliva – singled to start the seventh. Black scored on a groundout from Akitoshi, who would finish with six RBI’s. Then, the Chucks got their third home run of the night, a shot from Albee Weiss down the left field line.
Kalamazoo got one run in the top of the eighth, but the Woodchucks answered with two more. Ryan Day doubled to open the bottom of the eighth. Black, Traxler and Akitoshi hit back-to-back-to-back singles, scoring Day and Black and pushing the Chucks’ edge to 20-1.
Simon Mathews got the win for Wisconsin with five innings pitched, four hits allowed and no runs given up. He struck out two and walked no one. Jake McMahon, Tim McElroy, Kyle Dohy and Trevor Dudar each pitched an inning in relief, and through seven innings Friday, the Woodchucks had held the Growlers scoreless for 31 consecutive frames.
The Woodchucks moved to 10-9 on the second half of the season with the huge win. They’ll look to continue their second half roll against the Thunder Bay Border Cats, who come to Athletic Park this weekend for Saturday and Sunday contests with Wisconsin before the Chucks hit the road again Monday.
Tickets for all Woodchucks home games can be purchased online, at woodchucks.com, by calling the Front Office at 715.845.5055, or by stopping by the Front Office (300 3rd. St. Suite 305, Wausau WI 55403) anytime between 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday, or 9:00-4:00 p.m. on game days. The box office at Athletic Park (324 E. Wausau Ave, Wausau WI 55403) opens at 1:30 p.m. on game days. The Woodchucks are looking forward to a fun filled season at Athletic Park and we hope to see you there!
