The Lakeshore Chinooks jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in Wisconsin Rapids on Sunday afternoon, but Mother Nature took all the momentum with her in a rain delay, as the Rafters stormed back for an 8-6 victory.
Brent Valach (Eastern Illinois University) got the offense started with an RBI ground out scoring lead-off man Chris Manning (Valparaiso University) in the first inning. Ryan Krill (Michigan State) added another with a two out single scoring Sawyer Polen (Kent State University) from third.
The offense stayed hot against Rafters starter Griffin Glaude in the second inning. A two out single by Manning put runners on the corners for Polen who roped a double allowing both runners to score. With the Chinooks holding a 4-0 lead, the skies opened and rain halted play for three hours and twenty minutes. This marks the second time this season the Rafters and Chinooks experienced inclement weather. Yesterday, the two teams finished a game from opening night that was suspended due to rain.
It appeared as if tonight’s game would experience the same fate, but tireless work by Rafters personnel, including members of their front office staff, put the field back in playing condition.
That was not good news for starter Tim Faix (Kent State University) who looked sharp in his opening inning. He was lifted from the game and handed the ball to Mitchell Sewald. (Louisiana State University) The Rafters wasted no time jumping all over the right-hander. Wisconsin Rapids picked up four straight hits, the last being a grand slam by Jackson Slaid that tied things up at four.
Wisconsin Rapids picked up another run in the fourth and two more in the fifth on a home run by Erik Payne to grab a 7-5 lead.
The Chinooks had a golden opportunity to tie things in the seventh, loading the bases with one out but a strikeout to pinch hitter Mike Hollenbeck (Illinois State) and a groundout by Marty Herum (University of Wisconsin-Whitewater) ended the scoring chance. The Rafters added another in the seventh pushing the lead to three.
The Chinooks inched closer as Polen delivered his second RBI of the night scoring Mikole Pierce (University of Wisconsin-Whitewater) in the eighth, but the Rafters held on for just their fourth win of the season.
The Chinooks return home for a two game series with Madison beginning tomorrow at 6:35 p.m. Monday will be a VIP Autograph Monday presented by Visual Image Photography. Select players and coaches will be available to sign autographs for fans after the game.
