Fireworks in Wausau as Chucks Defeat Dock Spiders
Wausau, WI – Fireworks in Wausau as the Woodchucks increase the streak to five, defeating the Dock Spiders 10-3.
Johnny Amonica (Keiser) made his first start of the season for the Woodchucks and set a new season high in innings-pitched at 5.0. Amonica also struck out three, his second-best of the season. He allowed just 3 runs, and picked up his first win of the season.
Jett Slepak (UCF) came in as relief for Amonica in the top of the sixth. Slepak closed the door on the Dock Spiders. He allowed no runs, two hits, and no runs. It is Slepak’s best outing of the season and his first save.
The Woodchucks trailed until the bottom of the third inning when Max Galvin (Miami) walked with the bases loaded to allow Jake Berkland (Mankato) to tie the game at 1-1. Colin Bruggemann (Oklahoma State) earned his first RBI of the season, a sac-fly to score Edian Espinal (Chipola College) to take the lead, 2-1.
After trailing the lead again in the fifth, the Woodchucks retook the lead when Hayden Christiansen (Xavier) earned his ninth hit of the season, a single that scored Trey Gambill (Oklahoma) and Max Galvin, bringing the score to 4-3.
The Woodchucks added an insurance run when Austin Dearing (Florida International) slugged his first hit of the season that scored Colin Bruggemann to bring the score to 5-3.
The Chucks blew things open in the bottom of the eighth, scoring a five-run inning. Bryce Hubbard (Georgia) started things off with a double, and then scored on a Samuel Fischer (Florida International) double of his own. Max Galvin increased his hit streak to five games, with a single that scored Edian Espinal.
Colin Bruggemann capped things off with a booming two-run shot over the video board in right field, bringing the score to its final tally in 10-3.
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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]
