Chucks Complete Undefeated Streak at Witter Field
Wisconsin Rapids, WI – The Woodchucks split the final game of the series against the Rafters, 17-3. The Chucks did not lose once at Witter Field this season, and they have scored a total of 57 runs on the road against the Rafters.
The Chucks had a monster of a 3rd inning. They scored 8 runs in just 1 inning, including 4 back-to-back. The inning started with a Jake Berkland (Mankato) walk, followed by 4 consecutive hits by Vance Sheahan (USC-Upstate), Val Cerna Jr. (CMU), Max Galvin (Miami), and Colin Bruggemann (Oklahoma State), including a double by Val Cerna Jr. in his first game back as a Woodchuck. Christian Smith-Johnson also had a sac-fly that scored another run for 8 total.
The Chucks followed it with a 2 run 4th inning, from a 2 run shot from Colin Bruggemann for his 6th of the year. The Chucks would get 1 more in the 6th thanks to a single from Sam Fischer (FIU), and 2 more in the 7th thanks to 4 back-to-back hits from Christian Smith-Johnson (Corpus Christi), Jake Berkland, Vance Sheahan, and Val Cerna Jr. Smith-Johnson had a double to lead off that inning as well.
In the top of the 8th, Max Soliz Jr. (Kansas) launched his 8th of the season over left-field, scoring Samuel Fischer to make the score 15-1. Jake Berkland and Christian Smith-Johnson both scored as well to make things 17-1.
Travis Lutz (Bradley University) started the night on the mound for the Chucks. He went a full 5.0 innings pitched, allowing just 1 hit, no runs, and throwing 7 strikeouts. Seth Clausen (Minnesota) got the Chucks to the 9th, throwing two scoreless innings with 2 strikeouts. David Brown (Oklahoma-Tonkawa) was given the nod to close out the 9th. He struck out 1 for the Chucks victory.
The Chucks return home to Athletic Park tomorrow, August 1st, for the Zooperstars! That will kick off a 3 game home stand. First pitch is at 6:35PM.
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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. Now in its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history 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, 360 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, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). League games are viewable live on Northwoods League+ (at watch.northwoodsleague.com), ESPN+, and the Northwoods League Network. Learn more and find complete streaming schedules at watchnwl.com. 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]
