'Chucks sweep Rafters, head to Battle Creek 2-0
July 8, 2011 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wausau Woodchucks News Release
WAUSAU-July 8, 2011011-Taking an early lead off two homeruns and a fielding error, the Wisconsin Woodchucks defeated the visiting Wisconsin Rapids Rafters 7-3 Friday night, sweeping the two-game series and starting out the second half with a 2-0 record.
The Woodchucks collected 16 hits and two base-on-balls, putting a runner on base in every inning, and placing a runner in scoring position in six innings.
Following up team ace Tom Briner - who threw seven innings of four-hit baseball Thursday - Woodchucks starter Tyler Nurdin earned a quality start and picked up the win, going 6.1 strong innings.
With the victory, the Woodchucks improved to 2-0 and remained atop the South Division's second-half leader board, as the Rafters dropped to 0-2 behind starter Michael Huckabay's third loss of the season.
Over the two game series, the 'Chucks collected 28 hits and scored 17 runs, while committing only one fielding error. The Rafters, conversely, notched only 11 hits and four runs, committing five errors.
The 'Chucks came out of the gates swinging, as they collected five hits, and had their first six batters reach base safely in the first inning - producing three runs on Cody Regis' two-out homerun.
Wisconsin Rapids answered in the second inning off Nurdin, as a two-out rally saw two consecutive singles score on a Bobby Martin two-RBI double, cutting the 'Chucks lead to one.
Moving into third place on the Northwoods League leader board, Mike Gerber smacked his sixth homerun of the season to leadoff the third inning, before Carlos Escobar would reach on an error and score later on a Kyle DeMerritt groundout - giving the 'Chucks a 5-2 lead.
Benefiting from early run support, Tyler Nurdin turned in the Woodchucks second consecutive quality start, tightening up through the middle innings and stymieing an active early Rafters' attack.
Nurdin allowed only one more run to score, as Alex Edward - who hit a leadoff of the sixth inning with a single - advanced to second base on a wild pitch, and scored in the next at-bat on a Brandon Hohl RBI single.
Notching his first Woodchucks win, Nurdin finished the game allowing six hits, two walks and three runs, striking out three through six-and-one-third innings of work.
The Woodchucks returned the favor in their half of the sixth inning - as Mike Gerber scored Brian Carroll with a one-out single - and added an insurance run in the seventh on a Garrett Yrigoyen sacrifice fly.
Leading 7-3, Ryan Iverson and Anthony Drobnick combined to shutout the Rafters over the last two-and-two-third innings, allowing only one hit and striking out two.
Starting out strong in the second half, the Woodchucks will face an early test this weekend and get a barometer on their progress, as they travel to Battle Creek to take on the first-half champion Bombers.
The 'Chucks and Bombers will play three, before the 'Chucks return home next Tuesday to take on the Green Bay Bullfrogs.
Nick Greene will take the mound for the 'Chucks Saturday, with the first pitch coming at 6:05 central time.
Northwoods League Stories from July 8, 2011
- Stingers Score Eight in Final Two At-Bats to Beat Thunder Bay, 11-7 - Willmar Stingers
- Pair of Four Run Innings Give 'Frogs 10-0 Win - Green Bay Rockers
- MoonDogs Walk Away With Win - Mankato MoonDogs
- Mallards fall to Bullfrogs 10-0 - Madison Mallards
- Lunkers Walk-Off With 2-1 Victory Over St. Cloud - Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers
- 'Chucks sweep Rafters, head to Battle Creek 2-0 - Wausau Woodchucks
- Goose Droppings - Rochester Honkers
- Series Finale in Green Bay as Mallards Look for Two-Game Sweep - Madison Mallards
- Fey Printing "Turn Back the Clock Night" Jersey Auction Is Live - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
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