Mequon, WI – For the first five innings against the Kingfish, the Chinooks struggled to hit with runners in scoring position. But one in the sixth and a three run rally in the seventh gave the Chinooks the lead and the eventual 5-4 win.
DJ Lee scored on a Jack Dunn single in the sixth inning, shrinking the Kingfish lead to 4-2. But in the seventh inning, the Chinooks offense found their groove.
Griffin Dey led off the seventh inning with a single against Kingfish reliever Jack Zimmerman. Jim Govern then turned a pitch up in the zone by the left-hander for a two-run home run to tie the game at four. Dallas Beaver was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a balk. Still with no outs, Zach Clayton singled and drove home Beaver to give the Chinooks the lead, 5-4.
The Chinooks offense had consistent opportunities throughout the day, picking up 13 hits against Kenosha pitching. Clayton led the charge, making his first appearance for the Chinooks, by picking up three hits and driving in the go ahead run. Christian Boulware, Dey, and Lee each had two hits for Lakeshore, and eight of the nine starters found a way to reach base at least once.
Lakeshore’s offense has gone through many changes throughout the season, and today featured only one starter who was with the team on opening day. But after picking up their fourth win in the last five games, the success is starting to be more apparent.
“Those guys have come in with real good approaches,” Manager Travis Akre said of the new additions to the lineup. “Just tried to keep it simple. Not trying to get too big. They’re adjusting to wood too. But they’ve created a good spark for us right now.”
Starting pitcher Austin Jones cruised through the first three innings before running into trouble in the fourth. He hit the leadoff batter and later walked in a run with the bases loaded. A two-out single by Scott Dubrule scored two runs and gave the Kingfish a 3-1 lead.
The Chinooks only needed two pitchers throughout the game, as Luis Ferrer replaced Jones and threw the last four and third innings. He gave up only one run one three hits, while striking out three batters. Ferrer picked up the win, his second of the season.
After the good performance from Ferrer, Akre spoke about the potential future for Ferrer, which could be the Chinooks rotation. “We’re just trying to build him back up. He wants to be a starter, and we’d like to use him in that role. We’re trying to slowly work him back in and do the right thing with him.”
The Chinooks will look to continue their successful run as they travel for Kenosha for a double-header tomorrow. Konnor Ash will start the first game, with the first pitch coming at 4:05 PM. The second game will start at 7:05 PM, with Kevin Tibor getting the nod.
The Lakeshore Chinooks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Now in its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 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 190 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.lakeshorechinooks.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Chinooks as your favorite team.
