A Fourth Straight Win for the 4th of July
In a game that saw four lead changes, five home runs and 15 runs, the Chucks came out victorious with a 8-7 win.
The Chucks sent Caleb White (Georgia Southern) to start the game. He struggled through three innings and allowed four runs, one off a three run HR in the third. He would be pulled after three and Garrett Brogdon (Simpson University) would come in to make his fifth appearance.
The Woodchucks did score one run in the third after Max Galvin (U of Miami) led off with a double. He was batted around by Luke Pemberton (Pepperdine University) who found his first RBI as a Woodchuck.
The Chucks had some new faces today, one being Edian Espinal (Chipola College) who found his first hit as a Chuck, a leadoff double in the 6th. A new face to 2024 but not to the Chucks, returner Colin Bruggemann (OK St.) batted him in on a fielder’s choice. Chucks trailed 2-4 after six.
The Chucks would tie up the game in the 7th after a leadoff walk and two perfect bunt base hits by Christian Smith-Johnson (Texas A&M Corpus-Christi) and Jake Berkland (Mankato St. U) loaded the bases. Isaac Webb (Texas A&M Corpus-Christi) and Max Galvin singled to tie the game. The Chucks had trailed up to that point, and they were notched at four heading to the bottom of the 7th.
Garrett Brogdon would pitch the 7th, his fourth inning of work. He found two strikeouts to reach five on the day. He did allow a solo homerun, and the Chucks trailed once again 4-5 heading to the 8th.
The Chucks would grab the lead right back after Luke Pemberton singled and Christian Smith-Johnson hit his first HR of the season, a no-doubt two run shot to left. They would give up two solo HRs in the bottom half, and trailed 6-7 in the 9th.
Two hits brought up Bryce Hubbard (Georgia U) to pinch hit with runners on third and second. In a 0-1 count, Hubbard made it three straight games with an RBI by batting home two on a clutch single. The Chucks grabbed the lead with two outs and led 8-7 in the 9th.
Evan Alwine (FIU), who allowed two HR in the 8th would pitch the 9th. He would strikeout out two and the Chucks won 8-7.
The Chucks will play three straight at home starting tomorrow with post game fireworks as they welcome in the Fond Du Lac Dock Spiders!
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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]
