Mequon, WI – Preventing the big inning has been an issue for the Chinooks all season. On Monday night, it was a seven run fifth inning and a five run seventh for the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders that hurt Lakeshore in a 13-9 defeat.
Starting pitcher Clifton Slagel, who was just added to the roster today, made his first start and was solid through the first three innings. He allowed only one baserunner up until the fourth, when the Dock Spiders started to find more success against the right-hander. A one-out double by Zac Taylor came around to score on an Alex Erro sacrifice fly, bringing Fond du Lac back within one run, 2-1.
But the hits kept coming against Slagel entering the fifth inning. After a routine groundball was booted by shortstop Jack Dunn, five of the next six batters reached base and spelled the end for Slagel. Alex Henwood would drive Braden Stutzman in for the first run of the inning, and the first of four unearned runs against Slagel. Fond du Lac would then load the bases and score another run after Cole Zabowski was hit by a pitch. After Erro would single another run in, making the score 4-2, Slagel was relieved for Clayton Slifer.
Slilfer got Bullock to fly out to left field for the second out of the inning before the damage was truly done. Jacob Adams hit a long grand slam to right field to quickly make the game 8-2 and finalizing the seven run inning.
The Chinooks would rally and regain the lead 9-8 after scoring three in the fifth inning and four more in the sixth. Jim Govern drove in two with a bases loaded single followed by a RBI groundout by Sam Kohnle in the three run fifth. Kimple drove in the first run in the sixth inning to start the Chinooks comeback once again. Dock Spiders left fielder Alex Henwood then misplayed a line drive by Govern allowing two more to score, tying the game at eight apiece. Conor Christman drove home Govern for the go ahead run on a single to center field.
But the lead would be short lived for the Chinooks, as the Dock Spiders scored five times off of Carl Renz in the seventh inning to take a 13-9 lead. Back-to-back walks and a perfect bunt single loaded the bases with nobody out. Another misplayed ball, this time by the Chinooks center fielder DJ Lee allowed the tying run to score. Henwood hit a sacrifice fly to center field to give the lead back to Fond du Lac. A couple more hits a sacrifice fly later, and the Dock Spiders had scored five runs.
The Chinooks failed to score in the final three innings against Conor Dryer, who gave the Dock Spiders three innings only allowing a walk in the save.
The Chinooks have an off day Tuesday due to the MLB Dream Showcase hosted in Madison before traveling to Fond du Lac for the final meeting between these two teams this season. The first pitch coming from Marian U. Herr-Baker Field will be at 6:35 PM.
