Due in large part to four defensive errors, the Chinooks lost their first game of the season – dropping yet another back and forth battle (and another one run contest) with the Battle Creek Bombers. Falling behind 2-0 early, the Chinooks bounced back and erupted for six runs in an 11 batter, six hit fifth inning to take control of this Saturday night affair.
Highlighting that productive frame, Tyler Kamps smashed a two-RBI double on a 3-2 pitch to right, scoring Matt Harjung and Bre’ Kimbell. Sam Koenig delievered a two-RBI double, as did Eric Aguilera – who was one of a couple of Chinooks players with a multi-hit performance (Forrest Chadwich was the other, finishing 3-for-4).
The defending NWL Champion’ Bombers rallied in the seventh inning however, scoring five runs off just one hit, walking three times and taking advantage of two costly errors in the nine batter inning. In the top of the ninth, the Chinooks had runners at second and third base, but could not bring those runners home.
With the loss, the Chinooks dropped to 3-1. Madison, who lost to La Crosse on Saturday, is also 3-1 and tied atop the South Division standings with the expansion franchise. The Bombers earned victory number one, improving to 1-3. The rubber match of the weekend series takes place on Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 4:05pm, before the Chinooks head home for a five-game homestand to open Kapco Park.
