Northwoods Wausau Woodchucks

Woodchucks End Home Slate With 7-4 Loss to Madison

August 10, 2011 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wausau Woodchucks News Release


WAUSAU-August 10, 2011-The Madison Mallards scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning to break a 4-2 Wisconsin Woodchucks lead and spoil Justin Burns' outing, sending the ‘Chucks to their eighth-consecutive loss, 7-4.

After giving up two runs in the second inning, Justin Burns recovered to post his third-consecutive quality start, as the ‘Chucks rewarded his performance with a two-run lead - putting him in line for a win - before the Mallards scored four runs late.

In the last home game of the season, Wisconsin fell to 11-22 in the second half, with four games remaining on the road.

Madison started off the night's scoring in the second inning off ‘Chucks starter Justin Burns, as the Mallards hit four-consecutive mildly-hit singles to score one and load the bases, before Burns induced a double-play and a strikeout to stop the potential big-inning at two.

The ‘Chucks got one run in the bottom of the fourth, as Estevan Uriegas allowed a leadoff single to Cody Regis, who advanced to third base on a single and sac bunt, eventually scoring on a Robbie De La Cruz groundout.

As Burns recovered from a bad second and sailed through the next four innings, the ‘Chucks finally broke through with some run support in the sixth. Dimitri De Fuente led off with a walk, as Matt Guida and De La Cruz followed with walks, prior to Derek Peterson hitting an RBI single. Brian Carroll continued the inning and hit an RBI groundball up the middle, reaching on an error, before Garrett Yrigoyen grounded into a run-scoring double-play.

Brock Heerdt relieved Justin Burns with a 4-2 lead in the seventh inning, ending Burns' night with six hits, two runs and no walks allowed through six innings, striking out four.

A hit-by-pitch, fielder's choice and a single loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth, but Heerdt worked out of it with two shallow popups and a strikeout.

Heerdt didn't fare as well in the next inning, however, as another late lead got away from the ‘Chucks, as four runs scored to re-take a Mallards lead. Anthony Drobnick - who recorded the last out of the eighth inning, allowed a homerun in the ninth to give Madison a three-run cushion.

After their three-run sixth, Wisconsin went silent at the plate, as only one base runner reached over the last three innings.

Dan Tobik took the win, improving to 3-1, as Brock Heerdt fell to 0-2, and Matt Milroy notched his seventh save of the season.

The Mallards and Woodchucks will reunite in Madison on Thursday for game two of the home-away-away series, before the ‘Chucks end the season with a two-game trip to Waterloo.

About Wisconsin Woodchucks

The Wisconsin Woodchucks are a member of the prestigious Northwoods League, a collegiate summer baseball league featuring top talent from across the country. Located in Wausau, Wis., the Woodchucks play at historic Athletic Park, and are annually among the top-ranked teams nationally in per-game attendance. More information about the Wisconsin Woodchucks is available at www.woodchucks.com, or by calling 715-845-5055.



Northwoods League Stories from August 10, 2011


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