Chinooks Bounce Back With a 10-2 Win Over the Bombers

The Lakeshore Chinooks took on the Battle Creek Bombers on Thursday following a tough loss Wednesday night. The Chinooks jumped on the Bombers pitching early batting around in the 1^st inning and chasing the starter from the game. From there, the Chinooks did not look back resulting in a 10-2 victory.

The Bombers had a good eye in the top of the 1^st inning forcing two walks to start the game, and what looked like to jump out to an early lead. Starter Kyle Bouman (St. Louis) buckled down after a mound visit, striking out a batter and forcing a fly out to get out of the early scare.  

Chris Manning (Valparaiso) led of the Chinooks once again with a double to right field, followed by Sawyer Polen (Kent State) getting hit by a pitch. With two speedy Chinooks on base, the double steal was on putting runner on second and third with no outs. Forrest Chadwick (Southern Maine) knocked in Manning with an RBI single to left field taking an early 1-0 lead. Ryan Krill (MSU) then followed with an RBI double that bounced off the left field wall bringing in Polen for the second run of the game. Brant Valach (Eastern Illinois) hit what looked to be the first out of the inning but a miscommunication by Bombers fielders led to an RBI single pushing the score to 3-0.  New to the line-up Harrison Bader (Florida) fit right in bringing in Krill for the fourth run in the 1^st inning. Mike Hollenbeck (Illinois State) walked, loading the bases for the Chinooks. After a strikeout, the Bombers starters’ night ended pitching just 2/3’s inning. Manning came up to the plate for the second time of the inning and forced a walk on four straight pitches to give the Chinooks a 5-0 lead capping a big 1^st inning.

The Bombers knocked their first hit of the game in the top of the 3^rd inning starting the scoring for Battle Creek. After a hit batter and Bombers runner stealing third base, an RBI ground out got the Bombers on the board making the score 5-1.

Harrison Bader (Florida) started off the bottom of the 5^th inning with a lead-off single and stolen base to put himself in scoring position for the Chinooks. After two quick outs, Manning came to the plate and launched a two-run home run over the left field wall to make the score 7-1.

The Bombers started the top of the 8^th off with a double to left field followed by a stolen base. A sacrifice ground out brought home the second run of the game for the Bombers making the score 7-2.

 The Chinooks to advantage in the 8^th inning getting the first two batters on, and advancing to second and third on a wild pitch. In his first game as a Chinook, John Norwood (Vanderbilt) got his first hit and RBI bringing in Solberg for an 8-2 lead. Hollenbeck came up with two outs and hit a bullet to the right field corner resulting in a two RBI double. The Chinooks took a 10-2 lead into the 9^th inning and closer Adam Meyer (Arkansas) shut down the Bombers to end the game.  

Chinooks starter Kyle Bouman (St. Louis) had a strong six innings of work giving up one run on three hits and striking out six. Bouman started out shaky, but settled down to have himself another great start. “Early I had trouble finding the zone, but after a big (bottom) of first inning I really settled down and worked with my mechanics going straight to the plate. I have a good team behind me.” Bouman continues to have a strong season for the first place Chinooks.

The Chinooks (15-8) will take on the Madison Mallards in a three game series and will return to Kapco Park on Saturday, June 22^nd for the second game of the series. Fans in attendance will be able to participate in the Pennies for Gold Giveaway!