Pitching was by far the tale on Tuesday, and Wisconsin Rapids’ left-hander Domenic Mazza threw the 18th no-hitter in Northwoods League history.
In eight innings, Mazza gave up two unearned runs off no hits. He recorded ten strikeouts and issued three walks.
Lakeshore received an incredible starting pitching performance by James Teague (Arkansas), who picked up his second win this season. He retired the first eight of ten batters he faced by strikeout.
In six innings, the right-hander gave up no runs off one hit. Teague had 12 total strikeouts and only walked one.
Chinooks Pitching Coach Mark Moriarty was impressed by his three pitchers.
“We talked about it after the game at Green Bay, where we walked 10 people…we have to try to limit that stuff,” he said. “Teague and Koerner had their sliders working, and Elliott was Elliott, he comes in and does his job every time.”
The Chinooks scored their two runs in the sixth. Shortstop Sawyer Polen (Kent State) advanced to first on an error by Shawn Hagarty. Mazza then walked Luke Meeteer (UW-Milwaukee). The runners moved to second and third on a putout by Blake Butler (College of Charleston).
Polen scored on an error by left fielder Andre Moore. Meeteer also scored on a sacrifice fly to right field by Brant Valach (Eastern Illinois).
Fellow righty Sterling Koerner (Florida Gulf Coast) relieved Teague in the seventh. In two scoreless innings, he struck out two.
2014 Northwoods League All-Star Andrew Elliott (Wright State) struck out the side in the ninth. He picked up his ninth save of the season.
Mazza (1-1) suffered the loss in his valiant effort. For his performance, he was named the Northwoods League Pitcher of the Night on July 15.
The Chinooks and Rafters meet again, Wednesday, July 16. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Lakeshore will also play the Green Bay Bullfrogs on Thursday (6:35 p.m.) and Friday (7:05 p.m.). The team travels to La Crosse to play Saturday and Sunday, before the three-day all-star break.
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.
