WOODCHUCKS FALL IN FONDY
The loss combined with Madison’s win means that the Woodchucks now cling to a mere one game lead in the Great Lakes West Division race.
Starting pitcher Dane Miller struck out seven over seven innings of work, both season highs for the Columbia right-hander. However, the Dock Spiders did some damage in a three-run second inning which proved to be enough for the first-half champs to win. Miller was tagged with his first loss of the season.
The Woodchucks struggled offensively against Dock Spiders’ starter Taylor Middaugh, who kept the visitors off the board until the top of the fifth.
Harrison Long’s opposite-field bloop single drove in Colton Vincent and cut the deficit to 3-1. But the Woodchucks left two men on base and never threatened the tying run after that.
The Dock Spiders added insurance runs in the fifth and sixth but could not score in the seventh. Reliever Charlie Campbell pitched a scoreless eighth in his second appearance as a Woodchuck.
Payton Nelson and Clayton Mehlbauer each contributed two hits in the loss, but neither came around to score.
The Woodchucks are just 3-8 against the Dock Spiders this season. The first-half champs have won four of the five meetings at Herr-Baker Field.
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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]
