KENOSHA, Wis. – The Kenosha Kingfish (30-24, 8-11) exploded for six runs in the seventh inning on Wednesday en route to a dominating 12-2 victory over the Lakeshore Chinooks (29-25, 11-8) at Historic Simmons Field. It was the second consecutive game in which the Kingfish scored double-digit runs.
Though the Kingfish’s offense eventually became the story, the first player to put on a show for Kenosha was starting pitcher Nick Long (Florida). Making his first start of the season, Long struck out seven batters in the first three innings of the game and a total of nine on the afternoon, setting a new team-high for the season.
The Chinooks dented the scoreboard first in the top of the fourth inning with their first pair of hits in the game, but the Kingfish were able to come back and tie it up in the bottom of the frame. That first run opened the floodgates for Kenosha, who would go on to score in four straight innings with increasing run totals in each.
The Kingfish took their first lead of the game with a bases-loaded walk issued to left fielder Austin Bodrato (Florida), and added on to that with an RBI single by catcher Jesse Wilkening (Nebraska).
The sixth inning showed more power in the Kingfish lineup, with first baseman Derek Bangert demolishing his 10th homer of the season to score three runs and extend the lead to 6-2. With the homer, Bangert reached base for the 51st straight game and tied a team record for the most homers in a season.
Kenosha doubled its run total in the seventh inning, bringing home six runs with the help of 2-run hits by both Bangert and Madej and putting the game out of reach for good.
Long earned the win with five innings of one-run baseball, walking four and allowing two hits alongside his nine punchouts. Right-handers Billy McKay (Florida) and Sage Bruhl (Madison College) each threw two innings out of the bullpen following his Long’s exit.
Bangert drove in five runs and walked once in a 2-for-3 afternoon, while right fielder Jack Yalowitz (Illinois), Madej and Wilkening finished 2-for-4.
The Kingfish will be home again on Saturday to face Green Bay in a 6:35 p.m. start time.
