Thursday night’s 3-0 loss was more than just a series deciding game between the Lakeshore Chinooks and Madison Mallards, the loss marked the final night of action at the diamond of Kapco Park. Chinooks fans and team executives lined the stands to cheer on their new favorite players one last time.
“This is a great place to play! The fans are good and it’s really a privilege to play here. We’ve been on the road and we’ve seen the other stadiums and how things are run there and this is just a top notch place to play at,” commented Head Coach John Vodenlich on the bittersweet end to this season at Kapco Park.
The game was decided on the mound as both teams’ starting pitchers, the Chinooks’ Tim Verthien and the Mallards’ Danny Sullivan, kept the game close.
Verthien pitched a strong six innings, getting himself out of plenty of trouble while stranding seven base runners. He allowed two runs on seven hits, walked three, and struck out two in his final start with the Chinooks.
“He was struggling pretty much every inning and I think you could see it in his body language. He kept us in the game and kept us within striking distance. We just couldn’t get the offense going tonight,” added Vodenlich.
The Chinooks’ offense struggled through the entirety of the game to hit the Mallards hurlers. Sullivan took control of the rain soaked mound with a six inning shutout. He gave up only three hits and one walk while piling up 9 K’s. The Chinooks found little relief with Sullivan’s replacement, Sam Forkert, who terrorized hitters; allowing 1 hit and striking out two in two innings of work.
The first run of the game came in the 5th on a Derek Fisher line-drive to center field to score Mitch Elliot from second base; giving the Mallards a 1-0 lead.
With the Chinooks unable to produce any runs, the Mallards struck again as Luis Munoz ended a 0-18 hitting streak with a timely hit to shallow center field that scored Jack Livingston from third base to increase the Mallards lead to 2-0.
The Mallards scored the game’s final run in the 8th when pinch hitter Tom Sawyer hit an RBI single to score Jack Livingston from third base.
The Chinooks play their final three games of the season starting tomorrow in Wisconsin Rapids.
Although the lights erected on the bluffs of Mequon will remain dark for the near future, the Chinooks will return next summer with a new and improved roster. Thanks to all the fans who have come out and supported the Chinooks throughout the season. We look forward to providing you with even more excitement next season!
