Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. — Following their first shutout victory and fifth road win of the season, the Lakeshore Chinooks (6-7) blew the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (6-8) out of the water in a 11-0 ball game. The Chinooks earned their sixth road win of the season on Sunday night, not allowing the Rafters to plate a single run in the two-game series.
Grafton native Tommy Lamb took the mound in his third start of the season, hoping to improve the Chinooks overall team ERA, which sat in the lower half of the league at just over 5.00, even after the Chinooks shutout the Rafters on Saturday night.
The Oklahoma Sooner product made his best start of the season Sunday night, pitching five shutout innings, dominating the Rafters, only allowing three hits along with two strikeouts and no walks. Lamb helped lower the team ERA, which now sits at 4.69, the lowest mark since the start of the season.
Lamb credited his success Sunday night to getting outs early in the count, which he tried to do by focusing on throwing first pitch strikes.
The team’s second consecutive shutout consisted of zero errors in the field, a stark contrast from their performance on June 10th versus the Booyah, where the Chinooks committed seven errors. Following Sunday night’s victory, Lakeshore is tied for sixth lowest number of errors in the Northwoods League with 19 on the season.
Following Saturday nights 1-0 victory over the Rafters, the Chinooks hoped to bring more offensive firepower on Sunday night, which they immediately did, leading off the top of the first inning with a 1-0 lead.
Jackson Gray got the offense going Sunday night, knocking the teams first hit, stolen base and run of the ball game thanks to a Connor Kimple single that drove in Gray.
Lakeshore’s explosive offense took control of the game in the top of the third inning, scoring six runs on seven hits and two Rafter errors, but the offense wasn’t done there. The Chinooks hot bats tallied four more runs on four hits, running away with the game and leading 11-0.
Gray continued to be a catalyst for the squad in the third inning, leading off the frame with a single, the first of seven hits in a massive six run inning.
“Hitting is contagious and your confidence at the plate builds a lot when you see your teammates getting hits.” Gray said. “I think if we keep the same aggressive approach that we had tonight and the pitching staff keeps the momentum from two shutouts in a row, we should take care of business tomorrow night at Kapco.”
The contagious hitting, in large part, was due to the great game at the plate from Indiana outfielder, Jackson Vecrumba, who hit 2-5 with two doubles and reached on an error, batting home two RBI’s in the process.
Vecrumba’s second double came during the fifth inning, plating home a Chinook runner before he was able to score his second run of the game, adding to the already large Lakeshore lead. Scoring comfortably on a single to left field from Gray.
Connor Kimple’s hot bat lifted the Chinooks as well, hitting two base hits and bringing home three Chinook runners Sunday night. Kimple has five RBIs since joining the team on June 10th.
Following their shutout loss on June 7th, the Chinooks are winners in four of their last five games, hoping to keep their success going in their climb back to .500 baseball.
“The Nooks are hot!” Lamb said. “These were two great team wins and we’ll be ready to roll against the Woodchucks tomorrow.” Lamb added, “It’s a long summer ahead and these home games coming up are a great opportunity to jump to the top of the league standings.”
Monday night, the Chinooks look for their first victory of the season at Kapco Park, hosting the Great Lakes West division leading WisconsinWoodchucks (9-4). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
