Woodchucks Remain in First With Win
WAUSAU, WI – The Wisconsin Woodchuck bats were active from first pitch to final out in a Tuesday night win over the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters at Athletic Park.
The 10-2 victory–in which Wisconsin outhit their Wood County rivals 13-3–inches the Chucks another step closer to a Northwoods League playoff berth. Woodchuck fielders committed no errors in the contest.
The Chucks are 43-25 overall after Tuesday and possess a 22-11 second half record.
A night after dropping an 8-1 decision to the Rafters, the Woodchucks never trailed after the second inning. They are now 28-8 in second games (or later) of series in 2021 and avoid dropping back-to-back matchups for the first time since July 8. Wisconsin is 20-6 on the season following a loss.
The Chucks now are at least two and a half games ahead of the Madison Mallards in the Great Lakes West second half division standings, pending the final result of their rain-delayed affair in the state capital.
A three-run homer from Chase Bessard in the eighth was a fitting end to the consistent stream of offense seen by Woodchuck fans Tuesday.
Ryan Sepede scored Harrison Long in the bottom of the first inning to tie the game after the Rafters drew first blood.
Long and Sepede each had RBIs in the second inning to pad the Woodchucks’ lead after Brock Watkins crossed the plate earlier in the frame to break the initial stalemate.
Aaron Simmons drove in Anthony Catalano on a fifth inning sacrifice fly, Sepede scored off the bat of a Nelson single and Bessard came home off of a wild pitch to make it 7-2 Woodchucks.
The Woodchucks move to 8-2 in the 2021 season series over Wisconsin Rapids, with two matchups remaining between the sides.
Top Performers
Starting pitcher and Mosinee native Jace Baumann allowed two earned runs in three innings pitched.
Tommy Wahl earned the win out of the bullpen with four shutout innings. He allowed just one baserunner on a walk.
Vincent was 2-3 with two runs, an RBI and a hit by pitch.
Nelson went 3-4 with two runs and an RBI.
Sepede had two RBI and a run while going 3-5.
Bessard’s homer was part of a 1-3 night with a walk.
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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]
