Woodchucks Keep Things Close With Rafters
Wausau, Wis. – The Wausau Woodchucks (28-27) fell to the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (44-12) in game two of the double header at Athletic Park this evening with a final score of 12-6. The game was kept close due to the Chucks capitalizing on the many walks thrown by the Rats pitching staff.
The Woodchucks got off to a hot start, taking a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the 1st inning. Tyler Cox (Eckerd) singled to give the Chucks their first base runner, and was later driven in after a barrage of wild pitches by teammate Garret Hill (North Dakota State). Hill was then driven in by Aidan Corn (Pasco-Hernando), putting the Chucks on top for the first time today.
The Rafters put themselves out in front, but the Woodchucks wouldn’t be silenced. The next three runs would come in the bottom of the 4th, after a single by Dwight Allen (Georgia) allowed both Hagen Escoto (Lamar) and Corn to score. Camden Janik (Illinois) came in to score after a RBI single by Hill. The next inning, Janik would show off his defensive prowess by catching a runner unsuccessfully attempting to steal.
The Chucks started to chisel at the lead again by scoring Zach Kluvers (North Dakota State) on an RBI single by Corn. That would be the final run of the game as the Rafters took the double header with a final score for the second game of the doubleheader of 12-6.
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. Having completed its’ 28th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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 280 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 (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com. For more information, visit 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]
