Another Sweep for the Chucks – Riding the Win Train to Northern Minnesota

Another Sweep for the Chucks – Riding the Win Train to Northern Minnesota

The Woodchucks defeat the Eau Claire Express 7-2 to sweep in their first series with the team just west of Wausau since 2013.

The Woodchucks opened the scoring yet again tonight, a trend that seems to make fans happy and find them wins. In the first, they plated home three on five walks and one single. The Woodchucks drew a new pitcher before the first inning even ended and led 3-0.

The Express found one in the 1^st on a solo homerun by Owen Washburn (Texas Tech University). Isaac Webb (Texas A&M Corpus Christi) said ‘my turn’ and smacked one of his own in the top of the second. His first of the season had the Woodchucks up 4-1.

Fast forward to the 4^th were Webb moved to 2-2 on a leadoff double. Drew Berkland (Wayzata MN, U of Minnesota) made it back-to-back doubles and found his team leading 15^th RBI. Chucks were up 2-1

The Chucks would continue their power hitting in the 5^th as Deiten Lachance (McClennan Comm. College) led off with his second home run of the season. The next batter Brayden Smith (Iowa Western Community College) reached on a dropped third strike, was batted around to third, and scored on a wild pitch. Chucks led 6-1 after five.

Grant Siegel (U of Central Florida) had himself another great outing, fitting in perfectly with this amazing Chucks pitching staff. He went five full allowing two hits, one earned run, and had four strikeouts.

There would be trouble on the base paths for the Chucks in the bottom of the 8^th as they faced bases loaded a couple of times.  After using a handful of relievers, it was ultimately Chris Paruleski (U of Saint Katherine) who got the job done and sent the Chucks to the ninth leading 7-2.

Sawyer Toney (Southern Mississippi) came in for a quick one, two, three ninth inning, to send the Chucks to 13-3. The Chucks will head north and play another Great Lakes East opponent the Duluth Huskies.

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The Wausau Woodchucks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Entering its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 26 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 350 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, 2021 and 2023 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. 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.

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Author: David Keech

David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]