Wausau Woodchucks down Lakeshore in rain-shortened Northwoods League game

For Wausau Pilot & Review

WAUSAU –The Wausau Woodchucks rallied to defeat the Lakeshore Chinooks 5-4 in a rain-shortened game Saturday night at Athletic Park.

The game ended was halted in the middle of the sixth inning and eventually called complete as a game is official after five innings.

The Chucks gave up three runs in the first inning as starter Edwin Alicea (Nova Southeastern) threw 39 pitches and couldn’t return for the second inning. Garrett Brogdon (Simpson) would come in and pitch the remainder of the game.

The Chucks found three runs in the second as Edian Espinal (Central Florida), Max Galvin (Miami), and Luke Pemberton all had hits. Galvin had an RBI, and Sam Fischer (FIU), Espinal and Brady Jurgella (Minnesota-Mankato) all scored to tie the game at 3-3.

Brogdon pitched four full innings and recorded seven strikeouts. He only allowed one run in the fifth as the Chinooks took the lead 4-3.

The bottom of the fifth started with Espinal, who led off with his second home run of the season, tying the game at 4-4. His HR from the right side of the plate gave the switch hitter one as both a lefty and righty. Two batters later, Northwoods League All-Star and Home Run Derby contestant Max Soliz Jr. (Kansas) hit his sixth bomb of the season to give the Woodchucks the lead 5-4.

The two home runs would prove huge, as after a leadoff flyout in the top of the sixth for the Chinooks, rain and lightning would fall on Athletic Park and delay the game. The rain continued and the Chucks came away victorious.

The Chucks will play their final game before the All-Star break Sunday at 1:05 p.m. to finish the series with Lakeshore. It is Bluey Day at the ballpark and kids run the bases following the contest. The NWL All-Star Game will be played Tuesday night in Mankato, Minn., with the Woodchucks (40-12, 14-4 second half) returning to action Thursday at home against Green Bay at 6:35 p.m.