Woodchucks Beat Border Cats 

Woodchucks Beat Border Cats

Thunder Bay, ON – The Woodchucks increase the streak to six today after beating the Border Cats, 5-3.

Clayton Burke (Central Methodist University) made his third start on the mound today for the Woodchucks. He struck out five across five innings pitched.

The Chucks struck first in the top of the third, when Max Galvin (Oklahoma State) singled to bring in Logan Kreske (Wichita State) and Cutter Clawson (BYU) to take the lead 2-0.

The game was a pitcher’s duel thanks in part to the defense. Kam Durnin (Wichita State) locked down second base, making a leaping throw in the bottom of the fourth to keep the score at 2-1.

The Chucks would give up the lead 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth. In the top of the ninth, and down to their last out, Jake Berkland (Mankato State) would force an error to reach base, allowing Christian Smith-Johnson (Corpus Christi) to score the tying run at 3-3.

On the next pitch, Isaac Webb (Corpus Christi) attempted a steal of third. An errant throw allowed him to take home, and the Chucks took the lead 4-3. A few pitches later, Jake Berkland would come home in a wild pitch to increase the lead to 5-3.

Seth Clausen (Minnesota) would get the nod to close out the game for the Chucks. He struck out two to pick up his third save of the season.

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]