Woodchucks Ride Starting Pitching, Seventh Inning in Win
WAUSAU, WI – It was a low scoring battle between the Wisconsin Woodchucks and their local rivals from Wisconsin Rapids. But riding the start of Dylan MacCallum on the mound, the Chucks defeated the Rafters 6-3 at Athletic Park Saturday evening.
The Pepperdine right-handed arm surrendered just two baserunners and took a no-hit effort into the sixth inning. MacCallum retired 13 batters consecutively at one point and was efficient in his 79-pitch appearance, striking out six.
A late Wisconsin Rapids offensive flurry brought the go-ahead run to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth. Geo Camfield earned a one-out save to finish the evening.
The Woodchucks initially appeared to put much of the doubt away in the seventh inning, plating four runs to extend their lead to 6-0. Jacob Burke started the inning with a solo home run to left field, before Antonio Valdez drove home Louie Albrecht and Gino Groover doubled Valdez and Tyler Kehoe in to score.
The Chucks are now 28-19 and 7-5 in the second half of 2021. Wisconsin improves to 6-1 against the Rafters, clinching at least a share of the season series.
A two-run third inning opened the scoring for the Woodchucks. Groover scored Albrecht on a fielding error before scoring off the bat of Kevin Kilpatrick.
The Woodchucks benefited from a Rafters error, but did not commit a defensive error of their own in the 6:05 p.m. matchup. They outhit their foes from Wood County 9-4, even as Wisconsin Rapids added a trio in the ninth.
Top Performers
MacCallum pitched seven scoreless innings. He didn’t allow a hit until the sixth, and earned his second win of the year.
Albrecht was 2-4 with a pair of doubles and runs.
Kilpatrick went 2-4 with an RBI.
Groover had three RBI while going 1-3 with a run and a walk.
Burke had a solo homer while going 1-3 with a walk.
Valdez was 1-2 with a run, RBI and walk.
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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]
