Woodchucks Fall Short After Making Late Push
WAUSAU, WI – The Wisconsin Woodchucks have entertained fans with dramatic comebacks throughout the still-young 2021 season. And before a crowd of 1,603 fans at Athletic Park, they did just that against the Madison Mallards on Friday night.
But the Comeback Chucks couldn’t quite complete the comeback after trailing by as much as 9-2, falling 10-8.
Wisconsin scored six of the final seven of the contest, as both teams take a split series decision after the Chucks’ Thursday night win.
The Woodchucks fall to 10-7 and will hold a share of the Great Lakes West Division Lead after the night.
Wisconsin scored three runs in the eighth, with Griffin Lockwood Powell driving in Jacob Schoenvogel before a two-RBI single from CJ Kayfus.
The Chucks allowed a pair of unearned runs in the top of the first to fall behind 2-0. With two outs in the home half of the inning, Kayfus cut the initial deficit in half, recording his first Northwoods League RBI by scoring Jordan Schaffer from second base.
Madison made it 3-1 on another fielding error in the second and further increased its lead with two more runs in the third. The Chucks got a run back with a Bash Randle sacrifice fly later in the inning.
The Mallards extended their padding to 8-2 on a three-run home run in the fourth and 9-2 on a fifth inning single.
Jose Izarra walked in his first Woodchuck plate appearance, before scoring in the sixth on a Jordan Schaffer infield single. The Mallards answered to make it 10-3 in the seventh.
Randle scored Kayfus on an RBI triple before Colton Vincent drove in Randle an at bat later in the seventh.
Vincent then won a play at the plate in the eighth, absorbing a collision to draw the third out of the frame.
Even in defeat, Wisconsin showed an abundance of plate discipline, drawing 16 walks while striking out just six times.
Top Performers
Making his first start as a Woodchuck, Kayfus was 4-5 with a run and three RBIs.
Randle was 2-3 with two RBIs, a walk and a run
Schaffer was 1-3 with two runs, two walks and an RBI.
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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]
