WAUSAU, WI – In a day of 18 innings played between two teams, the Wisconsin Woodchucks and Wisconsin Rapids Rafters would split their doubleheader. After losing the first game at home, the Woodchucks traveled to Wisconsin Rapids to keep the Rafters from completing the sweep. The Woodchucks won the second game by a final score of 3-1.
Jared Pettitte made his fifth start of the season for the Woodchucks. He pitched five and two-thirds innings. The University of Houston product allowed one run on five hits. Pettitte walked three and struck out five.
Most of the scoring occurred in the sixth inning. Adam Frank and Byron Murray continued to prove they can hit anywhere, at any time, on any day. Both of the 2019 All-Stars drove in a run with an RBI single to give the Chucks a 2-0 lead.
The Rafters responded with an RBI single that brought them within one of the Woodchucks. In a tight ballgame, it was time for the Woodchucks pitching coaches to bring on one of their most reliable relief pitchers.
Tom Ambrosino entered at the end of the sixth inning and pitched through the eighth inning. In his two and one-third innings of work, he only allowed one hit and held the Rafters scoreless. This set up the opportunity for Woodchucks second-year pitcher Joey Hennessey to enter the game in the ninth and final inning.
Before Hennessey took the mound, the Woodchucks offense added one more run for insurance. Kenny Rodriguez scored on a fielder’s choice after Lawrence Cicileo hit a ground ball and beat out an attempted double play. The Rafters would only get one out and the Chucks would score a run to give them a 3-1 lead.
With the opportunity to close out the game and earn the save, Joey Hennessey did just that. He made quick work of the Rafters and secured a Woodchucks victory by a final score of 3-1.
Top Performers
Adam Frank went 2-4 with one run and one RBI. He drove in the Woodchucks first run of the game with an RBI single.
Collectively, the Woodchucks pitching staff only allowed one run on seven hits. Starting pitcher Jared Pettitte, Tom Ambrosino, and Joey Hennessey combined to walk five and strike out seven.
Next Up
The Wisconsin Woodchucks will begin a two-game series at home against the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders. Thursday’s 6:35 PM start will feature an appearance from the ZOOperstars! Fans of all ages will be entertained by their live performance, presented by Rib Mountain Paper. Friday’s 6:35 PM start will feature Post-Game Fireworks presented by Wisconsin Chevy Dealers. 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.
