Mequon, WI – The Lakeshore Chinooks came into play on Tuesday looking to continue inching their way into playoff contention as the end of the Northwoods League season slowly but surely approaches. The Kalamazoo Growlers came into town to play Lakeshore, but the Chinooks came up on the wrong side of things, losing 4-2. 

Kevin Long (Lehigh) got the start for the Chinooks after throwing 5.2 innings of two-run ball his last time out. He cruised for the first two innings but struggled in the third. The bases were loaded after Long walked John Soteropulos (California) and gave up back-to-back singles to Marquise Gill (Eastern Michigan) and Justin Fletcher (Northern Illinois). He managed to get one out, but the damage came when Long gave up a grand slam to Nick Yarnall (Pittsburgh).

Long did settle down to keep Kalamazoo at bay for the next two innings. He went a total of 5.0 innings while being charged with four runs, walking three and striking out seven. 

The Chinooks had their first big opportunity to score in the bottom of the third. Zarley Zalewski (Kent State) smacked a one-out single in the frame, and a Doug Kraeger (Richmond) ground rule double later put runners on second and third with two outs. Colby Fitch (Louisville) grounded out to end the threat, however.

Lakeshore finally broke the shutout with two runs in the sixth. The team put two on with no outs thanks to a leadoff single from Kraeger and subsequent walk drawn by Fitch. The damage was done courtesy of Jack Benninghoff (Arkansas) double that drove in both Kraeger and Fitch to make it a 4-2 game. 

Parker Sanburn (Arkansas) relieved Long in the sixth. He did a great job for Lakeshore, keeping them in the game by firing three scoreless innings. Sanburn let up three hits and a walk while striking out four. He did make things interesting in the seventh, letting the bases get loaded with two outs, but he managed to escape the jam.

The Chinooks got another chance to do some damage in the seventh. Lucas Raley (Lake Erie College) singled with one out in the frame, and Kraeger was hit by a pitch to give Lakeshore two on with one down. The team ultimately could not take advantage, though, as the score held at 4-2. 

Jack Landwehr (Illinois State) was the next reliever for Lakeshore, coming on to pitch the eighth. He stayed on for two innings, not allowing a run while giving up just one hit and striking out two. 

Lakeshore could never mount a rally despite a couple opportunities, and the game finished at 4-2. These two teams will face off again on Wednesday, and the Chinooks then take to the road on Thursday as they travel to Madison for a two-game set against the Mallards. 

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 (WSH) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WSH), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (OAK).  All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information visit www.lakeshorechinooks.com.