Heading into the ninth inning it appeared the Chinooks had all the momentum in the world. First they got another solid pitching performance from Andrew Waszak (Michigan State), then a booming homerun from Eric Aguilera (Illinois State) in the eighth put Lakeshore ahead 4-3. That capped off a comeback that saw the Chinooks erase a 3-1 deficit in the seventh thanks to a pair of RBI hits by Ryan Krill (Michigan State) and Zack Granite (Seton Hall). Granite’s was of the pinch hit variety.
Not so fast. The Loggers put the first man on in the ninth thanks to a hit-by-pitch. He was then sacrificed over to second for out number one. Tyler Sparger (Indian Hills Community College), who was on to close it out, would get Brandon Bednar on strikes for out number two. It would appear the Chinooks would find a way out of the inning when catcher Tyler Servais hit a bouncer to the first base side. Krill fielded the ball and threw high to a covering Sparger allowing the tying run to score.
A wild pitch put the go ahead run in scoring position for the Loggers. Loggers centerfielder Boomer Collins, who robbed the Chinooks of many extra base hits with his play in the field, had a chance to win it for La Crosse. He hit a slow roller to second basemen German Reyes (Winston Salem) who threw wide of the first basemen Krill, allowing the winning run to score.
Offensively the Chinooks were paced by Ryan Krill who also homered back in the second to go along with his two RBI hit in the seventh. Andrew Waszak went 6 1/3 strong innings giving up 3 runs on 8 hits while recording 3 punch outs.
Come out to Kapco Park Thursday as the Chinooks begin a five game home stand against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters at 6:35. The Inflatamaniacs will be on hand for your entertainment.
