Woodchucks crack four homeruns, overpower Rafters, 12-7
Published on July 3, 2014 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wausau Woodchucks News Release
Homeruns from Woodchucks' catcher Zach Arnold, shortstop Ryan Howard and two from first baseman Brendon Hayden, including a grand slam, highlighted the Woodchucks' offensive attack as they defeated the Rafters, 12-4, Thursday night at Witter Field
The evening did not get off to a great start for Wisconsin (2-0), as Howard's throwing error from short in the first gave the Rafters (0-2) the early 1-0 lead.
However, Arnold's two-run homerun in the fourth gave the Chucks their first hit, and lead, of the game against Rafters' starting southpaw Jeff Gogue. After Arnold's first homerun of the year, the Rafters quickly tied it 2-2 on a bloop RBI single from first baseman Cullen Gassaway in the bottom half of that frame.
The fifth inning was when the Chucks took the lead for good.
Designated hitter Jake Scudder and Howard led off the frame with back-to-back singles, before left fielder Nate Mondou loaded the bases by drawing a base on balls. That set the table for right fielder Kevin Connolly, who gave Wisconsin the lead right back with a two-run double to right field. A sac fly from second baseman Dylan Tice and a groundout from Arnold capped the scoring in the frame for Wisconsin, who then led 6-2.
Wisconsin Rapids cut the lead to 6-4 before the Woodchucks scored the next six unanswered. Howard led off the seventh with a solo homerun, also his first of the year, and Hayden's first homerun of the night came with one away in the eighth.
With the Chucks leading 8-4 heading to the ninth inning, Tice and Arnold walked leading off the frame before center fielder Jake Jefferies became the final batter in the Chucks starting nine to reach base, reaching with a single to right. That set the stage for Hayden, who jumped all over Michael Hurwitz's first pitch and drilled it over the right field wall for a grand slam, tallying his second homerun of the day and fourth of the year.
The Chucks withstood a late Rafter rally in the bottom of the ninth to hold on to the 12-7 victory.
Arnold, Scudder, Hayden and Howard each boasted multi-hit efforts for Wisconsin, while starting pitcher Parker Dunshee fired five strong innings and earned the victory, improving to 2-1 on the year.
The Woodchucks are back in action Friday night as they host La Crosse in the first of two at Athletic Park. First pitch from scheduled for 7:05 P.M.
Northwoods League Stories from July 3, 2014
- Fireworks During, After Game - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Defense, Timely Hitting Lift Mallards over Growlers - Madison Mallards
- Honkers Get a Couple of Home Runs En Route to Win against Duluth - Rochester Honkers
- Growlers' Early Lead But Big Inning Spoils Game in 6-3 Defeat - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Kingfish Win 7-3, Sweep Rox - Kenosha Kingfish
- Bullfrogs Shut-Out Loggers in Game Two - Green Bay Rockers
- Craig's Home Run the Only Mark as Rox Fall to Kingfish - St. Cloud Rox
- Willmar Winds up on Losing End of Pitcher's Duel against Mankato - Willmar Stingers
- Woodchucks crack four homeruns, overpower Rafters, 12-7 - Wausau Woodchucks
- Anchors Flood Border Cats in Blowout Win - Alexandria Blue Anchors
- Kingfish Raise the Guaranteed Win Stakes - Kenosha Kingfish
- Bucks Announce Independence Day Promotional Details - Waterloo Bucks
- Riverfront Stadium Parking Lot Is Open - Waterloo Bucks
- Growlers Red, White and Boom Night Has Arrived - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Mallards Set to Quiet Growlers Tonight at the "Duck Pond" - Madison Mallards
- Bullfrogs Look to Chop Down Loggers on Thursday - Green Bay Rockers
- Rafters Look to Turn Away Woodchucks at Witter Field - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Rox Begin Second Half with Loss to Kenosha - St. Cloud Rox
- Kingfish Slam the Rox 14-3 - Kenosha Kingfish
- Mankato Outlasts Willmar in 2nd Half Opener - Willmar Stingers
- Kingfish General Manager Sent Overboard Following Win - Kenosha Kingfish
- Growlers Tamed by Mallards 8-1 in First Game to Start 2nd Half - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Honkers Drop the Second Half Opener, 8-7, to the Huskies - Rochester Honkers
- Missed Chances Loom Large in Loss - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
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