Woodchucks Lose Battle to Rafters 11-5
Wausau, WI – The Wausau Woodchucks (0-2) fell to the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (2-0) with a final score of 11-5 on a humid Thursday night despite a strong attempt to rally during the bottom of the 9th.
The first home game of the second half of the season brought in a season-high 1466 people, who got to watch hometown player Jace Baumann (UW-Stout) close out the game, pitching the final four innings of the game for the Chucks.
The Chucks tried to get a rally going in the bottom of the 9th, starting off with Ryan Sepede (BYU) hitting a double to left field. Tim Conway (North Georgia) also landed a hit two batters later, advancing Sepede to third base. Collin Reuter (BYU) then added to the potential rally with a three run home run to center field, bringing the score to 11-5. The Woodchucks were unable to capitalize on the momentum from Reuter’s home run, ending the game with a putout for the final out.
Key Moments
Ben Abernathy (West Virginia) and Brent Widder (Evansville) drove in a run each during the bottom of the 3rd inning to give the Chucks their first two runs of the game.
Baumann closed out the game for the Woodchucks, pitching a strong final 4 innings to slow down the Rafters’ momentum.
Woodchucks catcher Collin Reuter smashed a three-run home run over the fence in the bottom of the 9th to try to get a rally going.
Third baseman Brent Widder tried to continue the 9th inning rally for the Chucks, hitting a single to center field, making tonight his 23rd game in a row that he has gotten on base.
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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]
