The Wisconsin Woodchucks
battled back from an early 5-2 deficit to force extra innings against the Eau
Claire Express, but it would be the Express who walked off victorious on a Tim
Zier single in the bottom of the tenth, giving the Express a 7-6 victory in 10
innings.
The Express got on the board first off of Woodchuck starter Brendon Hayden.
After a single by Tim Zier led off the ballgame, Ty Forney drove a ball into
the right field gap to score Zier as Forney checked in at second with an RBI
double.
The Express still lead 1-0 heading into the third where the Woodchucks defense
bit them once again. After a Casey Gillaspie single scored Tim Zier and put
runners on the corners with two outs, a Mike Bernal throwing error in the next
at-bat extended the inning for the Express. The Express scored three runs in
the inning, two unearned, to take a 4-0 lead on the ‘Chucks.
The Woodchucks would start their comeback attempt in the fourth when they were
able to score two and cut the Express lead in half. With the bases loaded and
no outs, Nate Irving hit a sacrifice fly to center that scored JD Davis to make
it a 4-1 game. Two batters later, Madison Carter singled, scoring Skyler Ewing
from third, making the Express lead 4-2 after three and a half innings.
The Express would extend their lead back to three runs in the fourth off of
Woodchuck reliever Chevas Numata. After Numata got the first two outs quickly,
Zier singled and stole second base before a Ty Forney single scored Zier from
second. It was Forney's second RBI of the night, and it extended the Express
lead to 5-2.
The Woodchucks would cut the lead to one run as they scored one run in both the
fifth and sixth innings. Brad McKewon scored in the fifth when he stole third
and the throw to third from Will Fadness was wild, allowing McKewon to score.
Their run in the sixth scored when Jake Peter grounded out to second, bringing
in Nate Irving from third, and cutting the Express lead to one.
The score was still 5-4 when the Woodchucks came to bat in the seventh.
Back-to-back doubles by McKewon and Davis brought McKewon home to tie the game
up at five heading to the bottom of the seventh.
With Ben Burke on the mound for the ‘Chucks, the Express would take the lead
back in the bottom of the frame. With the bases loaded and one out, Alex Real
flew out to center field, scoring Ty Forney from third, and giving the Express
a 6-5 lead.
The Woodchucks wouldn't wait long as they tied the game up in the top of the
eighth. With Madison Carter on second and no outs, Jake Peter doubled over the
head of center fielder Ryan Shober to score Carter and tie the game up at six
runs apiece.
The game stayed tied at six until the bottom of the tenth. Max Ising came on
for the Woodchucks, having not allowed a run for the Woodchucks the entire season.
With a runner on third and two outs, Tim Zier beat out an infield single to
score the game winning run on Zier's fourth hit of the ballgame.
The Woodchucks will be back in action tomorrow at 1:35 to take on the Lakeshore
Chinooks in Mequon.
Courtesy: Wisconsin Woodchucks
