Krill Launches Two Run Walk-Off: Chinooks Win 5-4

The Wisconsin Woodchucks made their first appearance at Kapco Park this season on Monday night. Both teams came into the two game set with an 8-4 record and ½ games out of the top spot in the South. The Chinooks got off to a fast start scoring in the first two innings, but the Woodchucks took control in the later innings scoring three runs and taking a 4-3 lead into the 9^th inning. With a man on Ryan Krill (MSU) launched the first pitch he saw into the night sky “It was a good first pitch, I swung and got some good wood on it.” This shot gave the Chinooks a 5-4 win over the Woodchucks.

Lakeshore jumped on the Woodchucks early. In the bottom of the 1^st inning, Chris Manning (Valparaiso) led the game off with a single, followed by Mike Papi (Virginia) who drove a one-out double to the left field corner putting runners on second and third base. Woodchuck starter hurled a wild pitch that did not look to be far from the catcher, but the speedy Manning bolted home to score the game’s first run. Aaron Machbitz (South Dakota State) then launched a shot to left field, but the Woodchucks left fielder made the catch at the wall. Tagging from third was Papi to give the Chinooks an early 2-0 lead.

The Woodchucks responded in the top of the 2^nd inning. With a man on second base, Rob Beenie slapped an RBI double to right field cutting the Chinook lead to 2-1.

The Chinooks answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the 2^nd inning. After runners found themselves on second and third base, Andrew Stevenson (LSU) muscled an RBI infield single over the pitchers head to bring home Darrell Miller Jr. (UCLA) and regain a two run lead at 3-1.

Wisconsin stormed back in the top of the 7^th inning. With two men on, Brandon Krieg knocked a two RBI double to left-center tying the game at 3-3.

In the top of the 8^th inning, the Woodchucks took their first lead of the game 4-3, on a lead-off solo home run by Josh Goossen-Brown.

The Chinooks were down to two outs in the bottom of the 9^th inning. Jared Fon (UW-Whitewater) reached on a single into right field bringing up pinch hitter Ryan Krill. “Fon got on base ahead of me and I saw the opportunity.” Krill did his normal routine, stepped into the box and drove the first pitch he saw over the right field wall for his 6^th home run of the season and more importantly a 5-4 win for Lakeshore.  

Chinooks starter Tim Faix (Kent State) went 6 2/3 innings giving up three runs on seven hits and striking out three.

The Chinooks (9-4) finish their two game set with the Woodchucks Tuesday, July 16^th at 6:35 PM. Fans in attendance will receive a cooler bag giveaway (limited supplies). Come cheer on the Chinooks as they continue to hang at the top in the South Division!