Woodchucks Claim First Half Title
Madison, WI – The Woodchucks clinched the first half title against the Mallards tonight, winning 2-1.
Adiel Melendez (Montavello) made his fifth start for the Chucks. Melendez recorded a season-high 10 strikeouts, and a season-high 6.2 innings-pitched. Melendez kept the Mallards scoreless in six separate innings, and allowed just one earned run.
The Woodchucks fell behind early, after going down 1-0 early in the first inning. The Woodchucks would be kept quiet offensively until the fifth, when Isaac Webb (Corpus Christi) scored from third after Drew Berkland (Minnesota) beat a throw to first to tie the game at 1-1. The game would stay tied until extra innings.
Jorge Decardenas (Charlotte) came in relief of Melendez late in the seventh. Decardenas would strike out nine straight, including three straight in the bottom of the tenth to win the game.
Isaac Webb (Corpus Christi) stole third, a crucial base-running decision that ultimately decided the game. Max Galvin (Miami) would score the game winning RBI in the top of the tenth, a gap single up the middle to allow Webb to score from third, and the Chucks took the lead 2-1.
Decardenas shut down the Mallards in the bottom of the tenth to clinch just the ninth playoff berth in franchise history, and the first since 2022.
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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. 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]
