Northwoods Wausau Woodchucks

Bruno's homerun powers Woodchucks to victory

July 15, 2011 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wausau Woodchucks News Release


WAUSAU - Jamie Bruno clobbered a homerun in the bottom of the tenth inning, propelling the Wisconsin Woodchucks to a 5-4 extra-innings walk-off win over the visiting Eau Claire Express.

After falling behind early 3-0, the Woodchucks chipped away at Express starter Ryan Knott, scoring once in the fourth and fifth innings, and twice in the sixth to take a short-lived lead.

Struggling in the early going, Nick Greene grew stronger as the game went on, not allowing a hit after the fourth inning, and striking out his last five batters faced.

Gabe Feldman relieved Greene in the eighth and allowed a run to tie the game at four, sending the game to extra innings.

The win puts the ‘Chucks above .500 to 5-4, presumably into a tie for second place in the South Division.

Anthony Drobnick took the win and improved to 1-3, while Matt McDaniel took the loss and dropped to 1-4.

The Woodchucks produced five runs off only six hits, but were aided by three Express errors.

Eau Claire, conversely, was held to four runs on ten hits.

Eau Claire broke through early off Woodchucks' starter Nick Greene, as the Express scored two runs in the third, and one run in the fourth.

Lawton Langford led off the third with a single, while Ryan Shober followed with a double - before Ty Forney and Zac Fisher scored both base runners on consecutive groundouts.

With one down in the fourth inning, Parker Hipp hit a double and advanced to third base on a passed ball, before giving the Express a quick 3-0 lead as Justin Viele hit a sacrifice fly.

Facing starting pitcher Ryan Knott for the third time in only five meetings with the Express, the ‘Chucks put a runner in scoring position in the first and third innings - including a failed attempt to steal home plate by Brian Carroll - before breaking through with one run in the fourth.

Carlos Escobar led the inning off with a walk and advanced to third on a Kyle DeMerritt single, scoring on a throwing error by the catcher Zac Fisher when DeMerritt stole second base.

The Woodchucks cut the lead to one in the following inning, when Garrett Yrigoyen reached on a fielder's choice and moved to second base on a wild pitch, scoring on a two-out RBI single by Danny Susdorf.

As Greene settled in and grew stronger on the mound, the ‘Chucks' offensive attack continued to chip away Ryan Knott, scoring two and taking the lead in the sixth.

After Carlos Escobar and Jamie Bruno reached on a walk and a single, Kyle DeMerritt moved up both runners with a sacrifice bunt, allowing them both to score on an Aaron Gates RBI single and a Robbie De La Cruz sacrifice squeeze play - giving the ‘Chucks a 4-3 lead.

Ryan Knott was recalled in favor of Matt McDaniel after Gates' single, ending his night with five hits, four walks and one earned run allowed, striking out three through five-and-one-third innings of work.

Greene worked into the seventh inning and struck out the side, not allowing an Express hit after the fourth inning. Working through seven innings, Greene allowed six hits, two walks and three earned runs, while striking out seven.

Gabe Feldman made his second Woodchucks appearance in the eighth inning, but struggled with his control and relinquished the hard-earned lead - allowing three singles and a walk, surrendering one run and exiting the game with two outs and the bases loaded. Anthony Drobnick came into the game and struck out Justin Viele to end the Express threat and strand three with the game tied at four.

After the Woodchucks allowed a two-out double and the Express committed an error to allow the leadoff runner on base, both Anthony Drobnick and Matt McDaniel worked through their respective half of the ninth inning, pushing the game into extra innings.

Drobnick worked through the tenth inning in order, setting the stage for Bruno's walk-off blast in the bottom half of the frame.

The series will relocate to Eau Claire Saturday, as the ‘Chucks and Express will play a seven-inning doubleheader, before taking three days off for the Northwoods League All-Star festivities. Jordan Luvisi will take the mound against Ryan Longstreth, with the first pitch coming at 5:00.



Northwoods League Stories from July 15, 2011


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