Northwoods Wausau Woodchucks

Three Former Woodchucks Lead UCLA to National Championship

June 26, 2013 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wausau Woodchucks News Release


WAUSAU - Three former Woodchucks reached the summit of collegiate baseball last night as they lead the UCLA Bruins to an 8-0 victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs to clinch the program's first Collegiate World Series title.

The Bruins were led in the best-of-three series by 2012 Woodchuck Eric Filia. The sophomore outfielder finished 4-6 in the series with seven RBI's, including five in last night's series-clinching victory. With the Woodchucks in 2012, Filia was an offensive juggernaut. Despite playing in only 39 games, Filia tied for the team lead in home runs with six. The outfielder did this while recording a team-best .383 average with nine doubles and 37 RBI's. Even more impressively, Filia walked 27 times while striking out only 13 while stealing 24 bases on the season.

Filia this year led the Bruins with a .281 average, knocking 14 doubles, a triple, a home run and 33 RBI's, primarily batting from the third spot in the team's order. He was spotlighted on ESPN's SportsCenter's Top 10 Monday night for a leaping-grab that robbed a Bulldog of an extra-base hit in a 3-1 Bruin victory in Game 1 of the series.

The UCLA leadoff batter, Brian Carroll, also made a big impact in the series. The 2011 Woodchuck scored four runs in the two games, including three last night. The speedy centerfielder recorded a hit, drew three walks, and was hit by a pitch once in the series, and added a pair of stolen bases in Game 1. Carroll finished the season with a .258 batting average, three doubles, two triples, 20 RBI's, and led the team with 50 runs scored and 32 stolen bases.

Carroll spent the summer after his freshman season with the ‘Chucks and wowed many with his athleticism. Carroll often ran down deep fly balls and made spectacular diving grabs to keep opponents off of the basepaths. At the plate, Carroll terrorized the league with his superb speed. Carroll scored 22 runs and stole 12 bases in 39 games played with the Woodchucks.

Carroll's teammate on the 2011 Woodchucks, Cody Regis, made his presence known in Game 2. After a seven-assist performance at second base in Game 1, Regis went 2-4, including an RBI-single in the fourth that gave the Bruins a 4-0 lead. Regis would score in the inning and again in the sixth on a Filia single.

Regis appeared in 54 games for the Bruins in his senior campaign, starting 51. He finished with a .234 average with eight doubles and 20 RBI's while recording a near-flawless .988 fielding percentage at second base.

With the Woodchucks, Regis flashed versatility, starting games at second and third base as well as shortstop. Regis' biggest contribution, however, was his power. The left-handed swinger hit .283 with 11 doubles, two triples, six home runs and 28 RBI's while leading the team with 33 walks.



Northwoods League Stories from June 26, 2013


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