Woodchucks’ bats go silent late in loss

Bats Quiet Late in Road Loss

MADISON, Wis. – After letting an early lead slip away, the Wausau Woodchucks (29-28) couldn’t find the late offense to match the Madison Mallards (24-34) in a 6-4 loss at Warner Park Friday night.

The Woodchucks scored all four of their runs in the fourth inning, a rally sparked by singles from Bradley Comer (UW-Stevens Point) and Camden Janik (Illinois). A bases-loaded walk by Zach Kluvers (North Dakota State) got the visitors on the board before an error plated Dwight Allen (Georgia) to give them the lead.

Hagen Escoto (Seattle) did not start the game but replaced Chase Hug (Evansville) in the third. With two outs in the fourth, he delivered a two-RBI single to drive in both Kluvers and Tyler Cox (Eckerd).

Woodchucks starter Aidan Major (West Virginia) showed good command in his final outing of the summer. The righty struck out four and allowed two runs (one earned) in five innings. After the Mallards cut the deficit to 4-2 in the fifth, Major stranded two runners with a key strikeout. Madison left six men on base in the game’s first five innings.

But in the sixth, the Mallards rallied. A pair of infield singles and a controversial safe call on a fielder’s choice loaded the bases, and Madison scored on a passed ball to make it 4-3.

The Mallards then took the lead on a two-RBI single and rode their bullpen the rest of the way.

Bryce Leedle (St. Thomas) struck out eight Woodchucks over 3.1 innings in relief. In the eighth, a Woodchuck rally ended when closer Steven Lacey (Delta State) stranded two runners. He struck out the side in the ninth to earn a save and give Madison a series split.

The Woodchucks lead the season series 6-4, and will play the Mallards again in the final two games of the season Aug. 12 and 13.

###

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. Having completed its’ 28^th season, the Northwoods  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 280 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 (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World  Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run  Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second  Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the  Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com. For more  information, visit 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.

*************************************************

Where are they Now? We feature athletes and difference makers  from the past, standouts in sports who excelled over the years and have moved on. Know of a former athlete, coach or difference maker we should feature? Know of a former standout competitor whose journey beyond central Wisconsin sports is one we should share? Send us information on athletes and difference makers of the past with our simple form HERE

Baked or Fried! We also feature difference makers throughout central Wisconsin: coaches, booster club leaders, adminstration, volunteers, you name it. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE

We welcome your stories! Contact us at [email protected]!