Northwoods Wausau Woodchucks

'Chucks End Skid, Dispatch Bombers 11-7

Published on July 4, 2011 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wausau Woodchucks News Release


WAUSAU-July 4, 2011-Smacking 13 hits and scoring 11 runs, the Wisconsin Woodchucks' offense exploded to defeat visiting Battle Creek - and end a six-game losing streak - by way of a back-and-forth 11-7 victory over the Bombers on Independence Day.

Tied 5-5 headed to the bottom of the sixth, the 'Chucks posted innings of three, one and two in the sixth, seventh and eighth to stave off a potent Bombers' offense, and take game one of a three-game set with Battle Creek and a five-game home stand.

After retiring the Woodchucks in order in the first inning, Battle Creek starter Joe Battistelli was lifted headed to the second inning, as Battistelli appeared to have injured his back while pitching with two outs to Mike Gerber.

Battistelli gave way to Chad Jasman, who would surrender two quick runs to the heart of the 'Chucks batting order. Carlos Escobar started the inning with a single, and advanced to third after stealing second and moving on Cody Regis' groundout. Escobar then scored on a booming Austin Coleman double, before scoring as Kyle DeMerritt continued his hot streak with an RBI single- making the score 2-0, Woodchucks.

Following three strong innings of work, Woodchuck starter Tyler Nurdin curiously exited the game, allowing two hits and striking out two.

'Chucks long-man AJ Carman relieved Nurdin, but continued to struggle with his control- surviving only two-thirds an inning and allowing three runs to score. Carman allowed the leadoff hitter to reach on a walk, before fielding a dribbler and throwing it wide of Cody Regis at second base, committing an error while trying to turn a 1-6-3 double play.

After inducing a fly-out in the following at-bat, Carman loaded the bases with a walk, before issuing another walk to put Battle Creek on the board. The next hitter, Daniel Rockett, would then put the Bombers on top with a two-RBI single.

After issuing his fourth walk of the inning, Carman was replaced by Ryan Iverson, who quickly ended the Bombers' fourth, down 3-2.

The 'Chucks would answer with two in their half of the frame, as Jasman allowed a walk, double, and Cody Regis RBI single to start the inning, before giving way to John Morrison, who issued a walk and a bases-loaded RBI hit-by-pitch to Kyle DeMerritt- taking the lead 4-3.

After tacking on one more run on a Seth Batty walk and a Carlos Escobar single in the fifth, the Bombers would rally back in the sixth to tie the game 5-5- as Ryan Iverson allowed a bunt base hit, single, and double, all with two outs.

The Woodchucks, however, would take charge in a wacky bottom-half of the sixth, where they would score three runs and make an insurmountable lead.

Austin Coleman led off with a single, before advancing to second on a Kyle DeMerritt sacrifice, and scoring on a Brian Carroll RBI single. Danny Susdorf followed, and reached as Bombers' shortstop Jordan Dean botched a routine grounder-allowing Seth Batty to hit an RBI single and move Susdorf to third base. With two runs already aboard and runners on the corners, Batty would break to second on a delayed steal in Mike Gerber's at-bat, prompting a hesitant - and inaccurate - throw to second, allowing Susdorf to come home and give the 'Chucks a three-run lead.

Anthony Drobnick make his 2011 Athletic Park debut in the seventh inning, and allowed a one-out, two-run homer to Ryne Otis- cutting the lead to one. However, Drobnick would recover and dominate the next two innings - striking out seven hitters in only three innings of work.

After adding insurance runs on an Austin Coleman homerun in the seventh, and a two-out, two-run rally in the eighth, the 'Chucks welcomed an Independence Day crowd of 1462 with a win to kick off a five-game home stand.

Ryan Iverson improved to 4-0 with the win, while Scott Mariner took the tough-luck loss for Battle Creek. Anthony Drobnick picked up his first save of 2011, by way of a three-inning victorious performance.

The two teams will meet again Tuesday and Wednesday to close out the first half, as the Bombers face two must-win games, and the 'Chucks look to build momentum into the Northwoods League South Division second half.

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