Tonight the Wisconsin Woodchucks lost a 10 inning thriller to Wisconsin Rapids by a score of 3-2. Following the loss the ‘Chucks fall to 8-4, while the Rafters advance to 4-7. Brad Douthit (1-4) got the win, while Eric Fritz took the loss to fall to 0-2.
The Rafters got things started in the second, when Quinton Perry hit a monster one-out homerun to left-center field. Licon would allow a scorching liner inches away from being a home run to the next batter, Ryan Palermo, before tightening up and sailing through the next few innings.
Licon would be chased in the top of the 5th with no outs, after allowing two consecutive singles to start the inning. Licon had a solid starting performance, allowing one run, walking three, allowing four hits, and striking out five in 4+ innings.
The ‘Chucks offense was stymied by Tommy Organ, who pitched a masterful 6.1 innings. Organ had 11 strikeouts, allowed only two hits, and issued only two walks while allowing no earned runs.
Jerad Eickhoff relieved Licon and would get out of the fifth with no damage, before pitching scoreless sixth and seventh innings. After the ‘Chucks were gifted a run in the sixth on a Beck Wheeler throwing error, Eickhoff would begin the eighth inning with the score tied 1-1. Beck Wheeler would redeem himself and lead off the eight with a home run, before Evan Laude would hit a one out single. Eric Fritz would relieve Eickhoff and induce a double play on the first pitch to send the game into the bottom of the eighth.
The dormant ‘Chucks offense would finally get to work, as Sharif Othman would lead off the eighth with a walk. Patrick Claussen promptly followed with a sacrifice bunt, before Rob Lind would single him home to tie the game 2-2.
After Eric Fritz pitched a scoreless ninth, the ‘Chucks would have a chance for a walkoff victory in front of packed Athletic Park crowd. Chris Amezquita would lead off the ninth inning with a single, before Kevin Pillar would attempt a sacrifice but reach on a fielders choice. In the subsequent at-bat, Pillar would steal second and advance to third on Jamie Bruno’s groundout. The ‘Chucks would then have the winning run at third base with two outs in the bottom of the ninth for Brock Stassi. Stassi would hammer the first pitch to deep right field, only for Cody Koback to make a diving grab and send the game to extra innings.
Eric Fritz would allow two one out singles in the top of the tenth, prompting a move to Anthony Drobnick out of the ‘pen. Drobnick would allow a single to the first batter, Evan Laude, which would plate the eventual winning run and make the score 3-2.
The ‘Chucks would get the winning run aboard in the tenth with two outs, but were unable to seal the deal and fell 3-2 to the Rafters. The ‘Chucks will now head down to Waterloo for a two game series, before returning to Athletic Park Monday to take on the Mallards.
