Woodchucks Hold on for Win Over Fond du Lac

Win Pushes Woodchucks into Tie for First 

WAUSAU, WI – The Wisconsin Woodchucks were placed in an awkward predicament late Wednesday against the Fond Du Lac Dock Spiders at Athletic Park.

Needing one out to secure the win, manager Corey Thompson issued a high-leverage intentional walk. Allowing the single baserunner on helped relief pitcher Chandler Fochs reach the mandatory three-batter minimum to exit the contest in the middle of a frame. Charlie Campbell then entered the game and became eligible for the playoffs should the Woodchucks advance. All players must appear in a Northwoods League game on or before August 4 to be postseason-eligible.

Campbell allowed a double but induced a lineout to second baseman Harrison Long as the Woodchucks left Athletic Park with a 4-3 win.

Wisconsin’s victory avenges a 5-2 loss to Fond du Lac Monday, securing a series split. They improve to 38-23 and 17-9 in the second half and move into a first place tie in the Great Lakes West Second Half standings, sharing the lead with the Spiders.

In the second inning, the Woodchucks scored first with a two-out triple off the wall by Ryan Sepede, scoring Colton Vincent from first base.

Fond du Lac scored twice in the third to go ahead before a Sepede solo homer made it 2-2 in the fifth.

Wisconsin grabbed a 3-2 lead in the seventh when Stephen Reid scored Long, again with two outs. An inning later, a Vincent ground ball down the first base line was just fair, and scored pinch runner Aaron Simmons in the eighth to provide insurance for the Woodchucks.

The win is the Chucks’ seventh in their last nine games. It is the last time the Dock Spiders visit Wausau during the 2021 regular season.

Top Performers

Starting pitcher Dante Chirico commanded seven frames, striking out seven, walking just one and surrendering two runs.

Tommy Wahl pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Campbell earned a one-out save for the Chucks. It was Wisconsin’s 23rd team save this season, which is a league-high.

Sepede went 2-4 with a triple and solo homer.

Vincent caught two Dock Spiders trying to steal third base. Fond du Lac entered the matchup with 203 stolen bases, tops in the Northwoods League as well as first overall in league history. The catcher also went 2-4 with a run and an RBI double.