WAUSAU, Wis (WSAU-Woodchucks) In Monday night’s barnburner, the Wisconsin Woodchucks continued their streak of wins against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters in the series opener, prevailing 9-7 at Athletic Park in Wausau.

The Woodchucks struck first in Monday night’s ball game when J.D. Davis took Bo Henning deep for his second home run of the year giving the ‘Chucks the early 1-0 lead.

That lead did not stick with the Woodchucks for long however. In the top of the second, catcher Aaron Gretz singled a rocket to left field scoring Brandon Hohl, and Pat Kelly putting the Rafters on top 2-1.

The ‘Chucks answered with a Gage Green single, bringing around Madison Cater with runners on, tying the game at two a piece.

Wisconsin Rapids Rafters second basemen Pat Kelly was quick to respond, sending a shot over the center field wall regaining the Rafters 3-2 lead with his second home run of the year.

Jake Peter ran into more trouble early giving up three earned runs before the fourth inning, and allowed another run in the third inning off a RBI double by Brandon Hohl, adding to the Rafters two run lead.

Ben Burke would relieve Peter beginning the fourth inning in attempt to slow the Rafters bats. Peter would allow three runs, on five hits, in three innings pitched in Monday’s outing.

Burke would go to work settling the bats of the Rafters, in time for the Woodchuck’s to make a run at the lead.

The Woodchucks picked up two more runs with off J.D. Davis’s second home run of the night in the fifth inning, tying the ballgame at four before back-to- back ground outs by Hayden and Ewing eluded the eventful inning.

Mike Bernal, and Eric Filia- Snyder would help the Woodchucks break through in the sixth inning with back-to-back doubles scoring Jelmini, Irving on a wild pitch, and Mike Bernal off Snyder’s deep fly ball, quickly jumping ahead three runs.

Jordan Dreiling lead off the seventh inning with a single, and would score off a sacrifice fly sent deep enough by Alex Bacon to close the deficit to two runs. The following batter, a strikeout-wild pitch, put Pat Kelly on first with the tying run at the plate- A precursor to the following batter Austin Neary, as he doubled to score Kelly making it a one run game.

Brendon Hayden doubled to start the seventh inning, followed by a Skyler Ewing walk, putting runners on first and second. Madison Carter coasted in to first with a single, juicing the bases with one out. Irving would ground out to second, but a throwing error would bring Hayden home, and another miscue from the first basemen would send Ewing on his way to a three-run lead.

Athletic Park was a rendition a homerun derby as four combined bombs left the park including one from Aaron Gretz in the eighth inning to close the gap to just two runs for the Rafters.

Max Ising came in to close out the slugfest, and shut down the side in order to end the 22 combined hit game as the ‘Chucks continue their reign over the Northwoods league south with a 10-1 record.

Rest Of NWL Scores

Madison  5  Green Bay  4

Eau Claire  16  BAttle Creek  2

Lakeshore  9  La Crosse  1

Waterloo  6  Willmar  4

Alexandria  9  Rochester  5

Mankato  8  St. Cloud  2