Chucks Test the Waters Against Mallards
Wausau, Wisc. – The Wausau Woodchucks (27-25 overall, 10-6 second half) took on the Madison Mallards (23-30 overall, 5-12 second half) for their first game back at Athletic Park since the All-Star Break, losing a hard fought battle 9-7.
It was a pitching duel for the first four innings with only one run and three hits recorded. The Mallards put up three runs in the 5th inning, but the scoring was just getting started.
The Chucks started to rally in the bottom of the 6th inning when a two run home run by Nik Levensteins (North Georgia) put the first two runs on the board, scoring himself and Chase Hug (Evansville). Garrett Hill (North Dakota State) made it interesting by taking advantage of a wild pitch scoring from third, and Zach Kluvers (North Dakota State) tied it up on a passed ball by the Madison catcher.
Madison scored five runs in the top of the 7th inning, but the Woodchucks threatened again in the bottom of the inning with Hug scoring from third on a Levensteins single to right field. Ryan Sepede (BYU) and Levensteins both scored from wild pitches, inching the Chucks closer with a score of 9-7.
Dwight Allen (Georgia) caught a pop fly in shallow center field and threw the runner out at the plate to end the top of the 9th inning with a clutch double play, trying to send the Chucks into the bottom of the inning with a spark. Kluvers started things off with a single to the left field corner, but the Chucks would be unable to bring him in, and Madison took the first game of the series with a score of 9-7.
Up Next
The Woodchucks will return to Athletic Park Wednesday, July 27th for a double header to face the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters at 12:05pm and 6:35pm. The first game Wednesday will be the Kids Day Out event, followed by the Culligan Water Mini Bat Giveaway to the first 500 fans who walk through the gates for the 6:35pm game. Tickets can be purchased online at https://wausau-woodchucks.nwltickets.com/ or by calling 715.845.5055.
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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]
