Soldano throws 5 2/3 innings of no-hit ball in win over Bombers

For the third straight day, Lakeshore rode an outstanding pitching performance for a win.  Tuesday evening it was Nick Soldano’s (North Park) turn to carry the torch as he and his teammates looked to win a franchise best fourth straight in Battle Creek Michigan. 

Every phase of the game was clicking on the way to a 5-0 victory over the Battle Creek Bombers, in a game that lasted just two hours and seven minutes in front of nearly 4,000 fans at C.O. Brown Stadium.

After scoring a combined twenty-one runs in their previous three wins, not even a long bus ride clocked at just over five hours could slow the offense down. 

Right from the start, Forrest Chadwick (Southern Maine) worked a one out walk bringing to the plate Brian Anderson (Arkansas), who has been getting comfortable in his new role as the third place hitter.  The Oklahoma native got the offense started with a bang as he launched a two-run homerun off the party deck in left against starter Cole Swanson. Lakeshore jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Soldano even took the mound.

At times throughout the season, the Chinooks offense has struggled to pick up a clutch two out hit with runners in scoring position.  They had a chance to change their fortunes in the second.   Newcomer Sergio Sanchez (Cabrillo College) started the rally with a two out single.  Charlie Markson (Notre Dame) followed with a walk. With seven RBI in his last three games coming in, who better to have in the batter’s box than Forrest Chadwick.  A passed ball put both runners in scoring position, and Chadwick took advantage.  He ripped a single back up the middle allowing both runners to score.

With the lead comfortably in hand, Soldano settled down nicely. The left-hander was effectively wild, pitching around walks in each of the first three innings, including two in third. The Bombers were unable to crack the hit column until the sixth when Jeremy Shay came up with a two out single to center.

Soldano completed seven strong innings, allowing just two hits while striking out four.

The Chinooks Final run of the game came when German Reyes (Winston-Salem State) connected for his fifth home run of the season in the eighth, off reliever Scott Simmons.

Both teams will sleep fast and get ready for an early start tomorrow.  Ryan Harris (Florida) will get the call as the teams prepare for a 10am (CST) first pitch.