Mequon, WI – The Lakeshore Chinooks played just one and a half innings of baseball against the Madison Mallards on Friday before rain suspended the game. The two teams resumed the game on Saturday in the bottom of the second inning, and afterwards the team played their already-scheduled game, which was shortened to seven innings. The teams wound up splitting the doubleheader, with the Chinooks taking home the resumed game and the Mallards winning the second contest.

Game One: Lakeshore Chinooks 5, Madison Mallards 2

The Chinooks took a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the first thanks to a Doug Kraeger (Richmond) RBI groundout and a Kyle Wood (Purdue) two-run home run. They were held scoreless in the top of the second, and then the rain had the final say, causing the game to be suspended until Saturday. 

After the Mallards plated a run in the bottom of the second upon the game being resumed, the Chinooks wasted little time getting the three-run lead back. In the top of the third, Kyle Fiala (Notre Dame) reached base on an error, and he then showed off his speed, stealing second and taking third on a passed ball that only barely bounced away from Mallards catcher Mike Aiello (Madison College). He later scored on a Lucas Raley (Lake Erie College) groundout. After the Mallards once again narrowed the gap to two in the fifth, Raley was responsible for getting the lead back to three in the top of the six, slapping a solo home run over the left-center field wall, his second homer in as many games.

Brian Keller (UW-Milwaukee) pitched the sole inning for the Chinooks on Friday, and he came back out on Saturday to continue the game. Especially considering the mental and physical challenge of essentially "starting" two games in a row, Keller pitched well, firing 5.0 innings (including his Friday inning) and giving up two runs while striking out two and walking one. 

Mike Letkewicz (Augustana College) came on in the long relief role, firing 2.1 scoreless innings and allowing two hits and no walks while striking out two. He has been great out of the bullpen for the Chinooks so far this season, having yet to allow a run in 7.2 innings pitched. Jake Tuttle (UW-Milwaukee) then, as he did so many times for the Chinooks in 2014, shut down the opposing lineup, throwing a scoreless inning in relief. The game was finished off by Sterling Koerner (Florida Gulf Coast), who got the final two outs to earn the save. 

Game Two: Madison Mallards 5, Lakeshore Chinooks 1 (Seven Innings)

Zac Lowther (Xavier) made his third start for the Chinooks. He showcased great stuff, striking out five in 3.0 innings pitched without allowing a walk, but he left a couple of pitches up in the zone, resulting in four hits and two earned runs. The Mallards managed to plate a single run off of him in the second and third innings. 

The Chinooks came back in the top of the fourth to make it a one-run ballgame. Raley continued an impressive show of power lately, smacking a leadoff triple to deep left-center field. Raley has now hit two homers and a triple in his last three games. He later came around to score when Zarley Zalewski (Kent State) brought him home with a single for his fourth RBI of the year. 

Shea Murray (Ohio State), who was actually just recently drafted by the Los Angeles Angels, relieved Lowther in the fourth, holding the Mallards scoreless in his only inning of work. Rustin Sveum (Dixie State) did not see as much success, however. Brought on for the fifth inning, he ceded two runs to the Mallards. Adam Heidenfelder (Hofstra) was the final reliever the team used, allowing a run in his sole inning pitching. 

The Chinooks return home to Kapco Park on Saturday, June 13th to battle with the La Crosse Loggers. They will take them on again on Sunday, June 14th before a two-game home series against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters.

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 draws 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 120 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), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (TB).  All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information visit www.lakeshorechinooks.com.