Woodchucks Can’t Find Clutch Hit in Loss
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. – Chance after chance eluded the Woodchucks in a 2-1 loss to the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters at Witter Field Wednesday.
The visitors cut an early deficit to 2-1 on Kevin Kilpatrick (Houston)’s RBI single in the top of the fifth. In each successive inning, they left the tying run in scoring position but lacked the necessary hit.
The Rafters (30-6) scored their two runs in the bottom of the first inning – one of which was unearned.
But Jack Wenninger (Illinois) held them hitless over the next four innings. The righty struck out five and walked just one, earning a hard-luck loss dropping his season record to 1-1.
Dawson Lane (Florida Southern) pitched a scoreless sixth inning before Nick Marshall (West Texas A&M) set down the Rafters in order over the final two. The Woodchucks held the first half champs to just three hits in the loss.
Brent Widder (Evansville) broke up a perfect game bid with a bunt single in the top of the fourth. The base hit was one of his two in the game, extending his on-base streak to 22 games.
Brock Watkins (BYU) extended his hitting streak to eight with a broken-bat single in the fifth, later scoring the Chucks’ lone run.
In the ninth, Zach Levenson (Miami) singled with one out. Ben Abernathy (UAB) pinch-ran, advancing to second on a groundout. But he was stranded there as Kilpatrick grounded out to end the ballgame.
The Woodchucks (17-20) start the second half 0-1, looking for revenge tomorrow against these same Rafters. The Rafters have now won six of the seven matchups in this year’s rivalry after the Woodchucks won nine of 12 meetings last season.
*************************************************
Where are they Now? We feature athletes and difference makers from the past, standouts in sports who excelled over the years and have moved on. Know of a former athlete, coach or difference maker we should feature? Know of a former standout competitor whose journey beyond central Wisconsin sports is one we should share? Send us information on athletes and difference makers of the past with our simple form HERE
Baked or Fried! We also feature difference makers throughout central Wisconsin: coaches, booster club leaders, adminstration, volunteers, you name it. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE
We welcome your stories! Contact us at [email protected]!
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]
