Chinooks Explode in 6^th and 7^th Inning in a 13-2 Blow Out Over the Bombers

Runs were not as easy to come by in Sunday’s finale at Kapco Park wrapping up a three game series with the Battle Creek Bombers. The first run of the game crossed the plate in the top of the 6^th for the Bombers, but the Lakeshore Chinooks bounced back with a total of 12 runs in the bottom of the 6^th and 7^th inning.

The Bombers brought home the first run of the game on a RBI double by the Bombers catcher Scivicque. They took a 1-0 lead threatening to add another run but right fielder Ryan Solberg (UWM) threw a laser home saving a run and ending the top of the 6^th inning.

The Chinooks bounced back in the bottom of the 6^th inning. With the bases full of Chinooks, Ryan Krill (MSU) was hit by a pitch tying the game up 1-1. The following batter, Ryan Solberg who saved a run in the top half of the 6^th, knocked in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly to left field. The Chinooks added two more as Mikel Mucha (Wichita State) rocketed a 2 RBI triple to right-center pushing the Chinooks lead to 4-1.

The Chinooks picked up right where they left off in the bottom of the 7^th inning. After a walk, error and wild pick-off attempt putting runners on 2^nd and 3^rd, Chris Manning (Valparaiso) was hit by a pitch loading the bases up for the second consecutive inning. Sawyer Polen (Kent State) came up to the plate looking to knock in a run, but got an easy RBI on a walk. Brant Valach (Eastern Illinois) added to the scoring as he lifted an RBI single to center field. The speedy Manning took matters into his own hands on a wild pitch pushing the score to 7-1. The next pitch, Krill dribbled a grounder to the Bombers second basemen, he attempted to throw out Polen at the plate, but Polen slid under the attempted tag making the score 8-1. The Bombers pitching had trouble throwing strikes, as Mucha walked to add another run to give the Chinooks a 9-1 lead. Aaron Machbitz (South Dakota State) joined the action knocking in two on a single up the middle. Mason Snyder (Heartland CC) came up to the plate for the second time in the 7^th inning and knocked in Mucha, capping a 8 run inning and increasing the lead to 12-1.

Battle Creek came back in the 8^th inning with a run of their own making the score 12-2. The Chinooks struck right back in the bottom of the 8^th inning on a Solberg RBI double that would give the Chinooks a 13-2 victory.

Chinooks starter Alex Young (TCU) had a strong outing going 5 2/3 innings giving up 1 run on 3 hits to the Bombers and recording eight strikeouts.

Manager Eddy Morgan commented on the win, “I thought Mucha’s RBI triple was the key to the game, and Alex Young pitched a terrific game…he will have a bright future ahead of him. It was one of those games, it was an ugly game but we drew some walks put the ball in play and we got out of here with a win.”  

The Chinooks (12-7) are back at Kapco Park Monday, June 17^th to take on the Green Bay Bullfrogs for a home and away set. Fans in attendance will have a chance to win 2 Paul McCartney tickets to his show at Miller Park on July 16^th courtesy of WKLH!