Chinooks Lose Game and Sole Possession of 1st Place
Monday night’s game was seen as a chance to make a statement, that the Chinooks 1st place position in the Northwoods League South Division was not simply the result of a young season with limited competition. Monday’s opponent, the La Crosse Loggers, was a perfect test for the Chinooks as the Loggers trailed the Chinooks by only 1 win for the division lead.
The Chinooks’ man on the mound, Joe Greenfield (S. Suburban College), was under additional pressure to perform after being drafted in this year’s MLB draft by the Boston Red Sox in the 22nd round. He performed in front of Red Sox personnel and ended the night with 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 BB, and 3 K’s as he battled the big hitting Loggers who lead the league with 9 home runs. “I think baseball is a very humbling sport. As soon as you start getting hot, it’ll knock you down as soon as you think you’re too good. I came out here and didn’t have everything as sharp as it should be,” said Greenfield on his outing in front of Red Sox personnel. “I liked how I limited the damage to one (run), I kept my team in it.”
In the 1st inning, Brandon Bednar reached on a fielder’s-choice, Bobby Juan was hit-by-pitch. A double allowed Bednar to score. To extend the lead to 3-0, the Loggers scored 1 run in the 4th and 5th innings. Garrett Carpenter (Colorado Mesa) entered the game to replace Greenfield on the mound in the 6th inning. He pitched a strong 3 innings but struggled in the top of the ninth giving up 4 hits and allowing 3 runs. He was then replaced by strong-armed Tyler Sparger (Indian Hills Community College) as he pitched back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning.
The Chinooks found themselves on the board in the 5th inning as Nate Ruzich (S. Suburban College) singled on a fielder’s choice and scored Zack Granite (Seton Hall). The offense struggled to score runs as Alex Gunn pitched a strong outing with 7 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 2 BB, and 5 K’s. All 6 hits allowed were singles with the Chinooks only being able to bring home one.
Gunn (2-0) got the W, while Greenfield (1-1) took the L. Tomorrow night’s game will be a battle for first place in the South Division as likely starters, Jesse Holiday (Southern)(1-1) faces off against Nick Soldano (North Park)(1-0).
First pitch is scheduled for 6:35pm at Kapco Park in Mequon, WI. In addition to the game, Dueling Pianos: a musical duet can be heard down the baselines.
