A quick offensive outburst in the 1^st inning proved to be just a tease for the Chinooks. The Chinooks, represented on the mound by Andrew Arenson (Carthage), engaged in a series-deciding game against the Green Bay Bullfrogs Friday night at Kapco Park.

Both teams’ recently struggling offenses came alive early in the final outing of the three game series. The Bullfrogs earned one run in the 1^st inning when Justin Seager hit an RBI single to score Brooks Orton. The offensive theme continued into the bottom of the 1^st as the Chinooks put up two runs. After hitting a double, Forrest Chadwick (U. Southern Maine) scored as Ty Young (Louisville) hit a line-drive down the first baseline to get past David Armendariz to account for an error.

The Chinooks’ offense took a turn for the worst in the 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th innings, ascertaining no hits. The same could not be said for the Bullfrogs as their offense caught fire under the “small-ball” philosophy of Coach Jordan Bischel. They scored one run in the 2^nd and 3^rd innings to take the lead 3-2. The trouble really came in the 4^th and 5^th innings for the Chinooks as five runs were put on the board for the Bullfrogs. Orton scored his second run of the game in the 4^th after stealing 3^rd and reaching home on a wild-pitch by Arenson. The second run came in on a sac-fly from Seager (his 2^nd RBI of 4 on the night). The Bullfrogs showed no mercy in the 5^th, scoring three more runs, one on a wild-pitch that sailed over the pitchers head.

The Chinooks finally managed to reach base in the 6^th inning, after a 4 inning drought, with Chadwick and Bre Kimbell (Louisiana Tech) singles. The possible rally was put-to-bed quickly by the Bullfrogs, allowing no runs.

The onslaught wouldn’t end for the Chinooks, in the 7^th inning four additional runs were added to give the Bullfrogs a 12-2 lead.

 Keaton Steele (Missouri) and Young scored in the 7^th and 8^th innings, respectively, to push the Chinooks’ runs total to four. It is always tough for a player to keep their head in the game when down double digits. “Yea, their mentality changes when you’re down 12-4. It takes a lot of character to continue to battle,” said Coach John Vodenlich when discussing the team’s attitude in the lopsided loss.  

The Chinooks’ pitching and absent offense proved too much to overcome. Arenson received the L, throwing 4.1 innings, giving up 9 H, 8 R, 5 BB, and 4 K’s before reaching the pitch limit. He was replaced by Garrett Carpenter (Col. Mesa) who managed 2.1 IP, allowing 2 H, 2 R, 3 BB, and 4 K’s.

 The Bullfrogs win was made easier with the dominant performance by Bradley Wallace, who got the W, going 6 innings, dishing out 4 H, 2 R, and 8K’s.

The Chinooks were unable to keep sole possession of 2^nd place with tonight’s loss to the Bullfrogs. The loss draws the Bullfrogs and Chinooks into a tie for 2^nd place in the Northwoods South Division.

Up next for the Chinooks is a two-game series on the road with the Madison Mallards. They return to Kapco Park on Wednesday, June 20^th, to tackle the Wisconsin Woodchucks at 6:35p.m.