Kilpatrick Homers, Marshall Shines in Win
MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin Woodchucks (42-24) improved their playoff odds with a 6-2 win over the Madison Mallards (33-31) at Warner Park Sunday.
The win puts the Woodchucks on an inside track to qualify for their first playoff berth since 2014. They now sit 3.5 games ahead of Madison with less than a week to play in the regular season.
A third-inning rally turned the tide after the Woodchucks faced an early deficit. Trailing 2-0, the Woodchucks blitzed the Mallards for four runs in a span of three at-bats. Noah Fitzgerald’s double drove in Clayton Mehlbauer before coming around to score on Harrison Long’s RBI single.
The tie lasted only one pitch before Kevin Kilpatrick hit a two-run homer to left field. His sixth blast of the season proved decisive in the win, though he would add an RBI single in the top of the ninth. Kilpatrick’s 44 RBIs are fourth-best in the league.
Nick Marshall was efficient and effective over seven innings to earn his first win of the season. The Antigo native and future West Texas A&M righty struck out five and scattered eight hits in the victory.
Colin Millar earned the save after two scoreless innings of relief. The Spring Hill southpaw is now 4-for-4 in save opportunities, which ties the team lead.
Louie Albrecht turned in a multi-hit performance in his final game of the summer.
The Woodchucks split the season series with the Mallards at six games apiece. These two teams will not meet again, but are each still vying for the second playoff spot in the Great Lakes West Division.
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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]
