The Chinooks Top the Mallards 2-1 on Tuesday Night
The Lakeshore Chinooks got back on track Tuesday night finishing up a two game series with the Madison Mallards. Back-to-back one run innings in the 5th and 6th was all the Chinooks needed to lock-up the 2-1 victory.
The Chinooks started the scoring in the bottom of the 5th inning. Ryan Krill (MSU) started the inning off with a single up the middle and advanced to second base on a fielder’s choice. Mike Hollenbeck (Illinois State) came to the plate and knocked in Krill with a flare to left center resulting in an RBI double.
The 1-0 lead was in jeopardy in the top of the 6th inning, when the Mallards attempted to strike back after a lead-off bunt single and a wild throw gave the runner second base. After a sacrifice fly advancing the runner to third, the Chinooks buckled down getting the final two outs of the inning with a strike out and line out to second base.
A lead-off walk by Sawyer Polen (Kent State) got the Chinooks started again in the bottom of the 6th inning. After multiple checks on Polen at first base, the Mallards pitchers threw a wild pick-off attempt that rolled to the fence allowing Polen to reach third base. Brant Valach (Eastern Illinois) lifted a sacrifice fly to center field that brought home Polen and gave the Chinooks a 2-0 lead.
The Mallards fought back in the top of the 8th inning. A single and two errors led to the first run for Madison cutting the Chinooks lead to 1 run. Donnie Hissa (Notre Dame) settled down with the Mallards having runners on second and third, recording two straight outs and ending the inning maintaining a 2-1 lead.
The Chinooks ended the night when catcher Mike Hollenbeck gunned down the stealing Mallard at second base for the third and final out of the night and secure a 2-1 victory.
Chinooks starter Tyler Thicke (UWM) started right where he left off allowing just three hits, no runs and recording four strike outs on six innings on the mound. Thicke earned his first win of the season with help from strong fielding, relief pitching and the Chinooks bats.
Tyler Thicke commented on his recent success on the mound, “Doing the simple things, realizing that baseball is just a game, have fun and stay loose. When it is your time to start, you do your job and that is all you can ask for.”
The Chinooks take their 8-6 and head on the road for a two game set against the Wisconsin Woodchucks. They return home on Friday night at 7:05 PM to take on the Battle Creek Bombers. Friday the first 1,000 fans will receive a Joe Greenfield Wall Decal and the Chinooks will offer the Leinenkugel’s Honey Weiss Friday Fish Fry for $8.50.
