The Chucks Lose a Thriller in Madison, Fall to 10-3
The Woodchucks put up a valiant effort but fell short and are now 10-3 on the season after going 1-3 on the road trip.
For the first time since June 2 the Woodchucks were not the first team to score. The Mallards plated home two runs in the top of the first, giving Jacob Haley (U of South Alabama) some early trouble. The Mallards forced the Chucks into the bullpen early as the Chucks trailed 0-6 after two.
The Chucks would fight back finding a run of their own in the third. It started on a leadoff double by Brayden Smith followed by an RBI single by Val Cerna Jr. (Cen. Methodist U) to bat him around. It’s the fifth hit and third run scored in the last two games for Smith. The Chucks still trailed 1-6 heading to the 4th inning.
A two-out rally that started on a infield single from Max Galvin (OK State) eventually lead to bases loaded and a chance for the Chucks to strike. They were not able to bat any around and the score was 1-7 onto the bottom of the 6th.
The 7th would prove to be another productive one for the Chucks as an RBI single from Jacob Haley scored Val Cerna Jr. to cut the deficit to five. With a tall task still ahead of the Chucks, they brought in Garrett Brogdon (Simpson U) to keep the Mallards at bay.
The next inning the Chucks scored another on an RBI single from Logan Kreske (Wichita St. U), his first of the season. The next batter Brayden Smith (Iowa West. Comm. College) shot a line drive down the left field line for a double that would score Max Soliz (Auburn U.)
That wouldn’t be all for the Chucks in the 8th as Val Cerna Jr. smoked a pitch off the right-field wall to score Smith and Jake Berkland (Mankato St.). After a four-run inning, the Chucks trailed just 6-8 heading to the 9th inning.
The Chucks made things interesting as they came within one run after Daniel Harden (McClennan Comm. College) scored on a single by Max Soliz Jr. It wouldn’t prove to be enough, and the Chucks fall to 10-3.
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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]
