Chucks Come Up Short In Comeback, Lose 5-4
July 27, 2011 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wausau Woodchucks News Release
EAU CLAIRE-July 27, 2011-The Wisconsin Woodchucks fell down by five runs early to the Eau Claire Express and made a valiant attempt at a comeback, but fell short as they lost 5-4.
The Express got the scoring started in the first inning off of Woodchuck starter, Jordan Luvisi. With the bases loaded and two outs, Nick Addison lined a ball to left field that was misplayed by Danny Susdorf, allowing Zac Fisher and Josh Scheffert to score. Only one of the runs was earned as an error was given to Susdorf.
Eau Claire added onto their lead in the third, scoring three more runs off of Luvisi. Addison picked up his second RBI of the game as he brought home Fisher on a single. The hit by Addison was followed up by a two-run double by Justin Viele, making it a 5-0 game.
That would end the night for Luvisi, who went three innings, allowing four earned runs on seven hits.
The Woodchuck offense finally broke through in the sixth inning. Susdorf led off the inning with a single, stole second base, and then advanced to third on a wild pitch by Brad Kuntz. Seth Batty grounded a ball to second base that allowed Susdorf to score, cutting the Express lead to 5-1.
In the eighth, Susdorf once again got on base with a base-hit to lead off the inning. Batty drew a walk, putting runners on first and second. Two batters later, Austin Coleman drove a ball down the left field line that scored Susdorf from second and sent Batty to third as Coleman checked into second base with an RBI-double. Kyle DeMerritt followed the double with an infield single that allowed Batty to score. Brian Carroll, who pinch ran for Coleman, also scored from second after a throwing error by Ty Forney, making it a 5-4 game. Susdorf finished the game 3-4 with two runs scored and his fourteenth stolen base of the season.
Mahlon Zimmerman retired the Woodchucks in order in the ninth to close out the game, as the Express won the rubber game of the series, 5-4.
Luvisi was credited with the loss, making his record 0-7 for the season. Justin Burns, who came on in relief of Luvisi in the fourth, pitched five scoreless innings to keep the âChucks in the game. Burns allowed only four hits and two walks while striking out two.
The âChucks fell to 8-11 on the second half, while the Express advanced to 6-13. This was the final game of the season between the two Northwoods League South Division teams, and the two clubs split the series, with each team winning five games.
The Woodchucks will return home to Wausau tomorrow night, where they will begin a two-game series with the Madison Mallards. Game one will start Thursday at 6:35 at Athletic Park.
Northwoods League Stories from July 27, 2011
- Mallards Beat Bombers 4-1; Finish 3-2 on Five-Game Homestand - Madison Mallards
- Waterloo Avoids Sweep in 4-3 Win - Green Bay Rockers
- Honkers Take Series Finale - Rochester Honkers
- Willmar's Three-Run 9th Downs Lunkers - Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers
- Ninth Inning Rally Leads Stingers to 6-5 Victory in Brainerd - Willmar Stingers
- Chucks Come Up Short In Comeback, Lose 5-4 - Wausau Woodchucks
- Rafters Field Manager John Martin Steps Down - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Game on: Mallards Hope to Avoid Two-Game Sweep Vs. Bombers - Madison Mallards
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