On Thursday, the Chinooks could not get things going offensively against a solid pitching performance by the Woodchucks.
Second-year Chinooks reliever Joe Pavlovich (UW-Oshkosh) pitched five innings in relief of starter Colin Wendinger (St. Thomas-MN). The righty surrendered three runs (one earned) off five hits. He struck out nine Wisconsin batters and issued only one walk.
For his performance, Pavlovich was named the Northwoods League Pitcher of the Night (June 5, 2014).
Coach Eddy Morgan spoke highly of the right-hander. “Pav did a great job, he tacked with three pitches," he said. “There’s going to be times in the summer where we just don’t swing the bats…got to tip the cap to their pitchers, they did a good job.”
Several scoring opportunities came for both the Chinooks and the Woodchucks in the first few innings. However, the game remained scoreless until the fourth.
Woodchucks left fielder Troy Traxler hit a leadoff triple off Wendinger. He scored a sacrifice fly by right fielder Alex Cordova. Wisconsin took a 1-0 lead.
Lakeshore responded in the sixth. Catcher Zack Bowers (UGA) hit a solo homer to tie the game at one.
In the ninth, Cordova hit a single and stole second base. He scored on single by third baseman Paul DeJong. Brendon Hayden reached first on a throwing error by Lakeshore second baseman Mitch Ghelfi (UW-Milwaukee). The error brought home Nate Mondou and DeJong, which gave Wisconsin two insurance runs.
The Woodchucks won by a final score of 4-1. Lefty Austin Tribby got the win after pitching three scoreless innings following starter Conner McFadden. Max Ising struck out two and recorded his third save of the season.
The Chinooks complete their home stand with a two-game series against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. First pitches are Friday at 7:05 p.m. and Saturday at 6:35 p.m.
The Lakeshore Chinooks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League YouTube channel<http://northwoodsleague.com/video/>. For more information, visit www.lakeshorechinooks.com.