Bats Quiet Late in Road Loss
MADISON, Wis. – After letting an early lead slip away, the Wausau Woodchucks (29-28) couldn’t find the late offense to match the Madison Mallards (24-34) in a 6-4 loss at Warner Park Friday night.
The Woodchucks scored all four of their runs in the fourth inning, a rally sparked by singles from Bradley Comer (UW-Stevens Point) and Camden Janik (Illinois). A bases-loaded walk by Zach Kluvers (North Dakota State) got the visitors on the board before an error plated Dwight Allen (Georgia) to give them the lead.
Hagen Escoto (Seattle) did not start the game but replaced Chase Hug (Evansville) in the third. With two outs in the fourth, he delivered a two-RBI single to drive in both Kluvers and Tyler Cox (Eckerd).
Woodchucks starter Aidan Major (West Virginia) showed good command in his final outing of the summer. The righty struck out four and allowed two runs (one earned) in five innings. After the Mallards cut the deficit to 4-2 in the fifth, Major stranded two runners with a key strikeout. Madison left six men on base in the game’s first five innings.
But in the sixth, the Mallards rallied. A pair of infield singles and a controversial safe call on a fielder’s choice loaded the bases, and Madison scored on a passed ball to make it 4-3.
The Mallards then took the lead on a two-RBI single and rode their bullpen the rest of the way.
Bryce Leedle (St. Thomas) struck out eight Woodchucks over 3.1 innings in relief. In the eighth, a Woodchuck rally ended when closer Steven Lacey (Delta State) stranded two runners. He struck out the side in the ninth to earn a save and give Madison a series split.
The Woodchucks lead the season series 6-4, and will play the Mallards again in the final two games of the season Aug. 12 and 13.
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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. Having completed its’ 28th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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 280 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 (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com. For more information, visit 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]
