Woodchucks Win After Six Full Innings
WAUSAU, WI – Wednesday afternoon’s matchup between the Wisconsin Woodchucks and Green Bay Booyah was halted midgame for three hours and 20 minutes due to weather.
But just two at bats after the resumption of play in the sixth inning, Jacob Burke launched a two-run home run with Gino Groover on first from a base hit immediately before the long delay.
That would be enough for the Woodchucks, who gave a run back a frame later but kept control of the lead when play was ordered closed once again with precipitation reintensifying in the top of the seventh at 5:26 p.m.
Having completed the minimum five innings, the contest was ruled official at 6:10 and the Woodchucks claimed a 4-3 win in what was slated to be Game 1 of a day-night doubleheader.
With no outs and Groover on first in the bottom of the sixth at 1:50 p.m. and the score tied 2-2, umpires ordered the tarp installed over the playing surface with the rainfall rate rapidly increasing. The tarp was pulled back off as the downpour dissolved into a drizzle as the afternoon passed, allowing play to restart at 5:10 p.m.
Green Bay struck first in the 12:05 scheduled matchup with a two-run home run in the top of the third. The Woodchucks answered in the home half of the inning as Groover doubled Tyler Kehoe home before scoring himself off the bat of Stephen Reid.
The Woodchucks improve to 26-18 with the win and 5-4 in the second half of the season. They also clinch the season series over the Booyah, having won all seven matchups against the Ashwaubenon club.
Top Performers
Starting pitcher Dante Chirico pitched five innings, and allowed two runs, one earned with a strikeout.
Collin Millar pitched a shutout sixth inning and earned the win.
Burke went 1-3 with a two-run home run, being credited with two RBI and a run.
Groover was 2-3 with an RBI and two runs.
Reid went 1-3 with an RBI.
Kehoe scored a run and was 1-3.
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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]
