Mequon, Wis.–The Lakeshore Chinooks (2-2) used five arms Friday night to pitch a combined three hit game in 3-1 victory of the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (1-3). 

Lakeshore got off to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, thanks to three consecutive two out hits from Mike Sears, Colton Bauer and Kai Murphy. Sears led the rally off with a base hit to center field, quickly followed by a double to deep right field by Bauer, scoring Sears. With a full count, Murphy delivered on a single to right, doubling the Lakeshore lead. 

Freshman pitcher from Xavier University, Dorsey Chatham, led the charge for the Chinooks Friday night. Chatham made his longest appearance of the season, completing four innings in total. Friday night marked Chatham’s fifth appearance this season without conceding a single earned run.

While Chatham continued to dominate on the mound, the Chinook bats added another insurance run, increasing the lead to three after a pair of Rafter errors. 

Jim Jerecki lifted Chatham to start the fifth inning after a scoreless four inning start. Only allowing one hit to the fourteen batters he faced, Chatham threw for a strike on 60% of pitches including three strikeouts in his impressive performance Friday night. 

Though he walked four batters, Jerecki continued Chatham’s one hit shutout in the two innings he threw in. Jerecki’s command may have been off, but his defense made all the right plays to back him up. 

After Jerecki finished the fifth and sixth frames, three more Lakeshore arms were called into action, each continuing the trend of only allowing a few Rafter hitters to reach base. Jerecki was credited with the win for his performance and holding the Chinook lead to 3-0.

Though the Chinooks failed to plate any runs following the third inning, the dominance of Chatham and the Lakeshore bullpen kept the Rafters at bay. Six different Chinook hitters made up the six hit game, no batter being able to reach base via base hit more than one at bat. 

“Dorsey did his job then on to Jim, Art, Miles and on to Tyler. We feed off each other like a snowball rolling down a hill.” 

Homestead High School alumni Arthur Liebau made his Chinook debut from the bullpen, struggling in the beginning of his debut, but managing to get out of a bases loaded jam with no outs, only allowing one Rafter to cross home plate. 

Liebau fought back after allowing the first three batters he faced to reach base on a walk and two base hits, forcing his next three batters into putouts to retire the side with minimal damage.

“I think he[Liebau] was excited to get going.” Field manager Travie Akre said. “He created his own mess and get out of his own mess, so credit to him.”

Liebau was lifted by Miles Halligan who walked two batters in the top of the eighth inning after quickly retiring the first two batters he faced. No damage was done as Halligan retired the side shortly after. 

Entering the top of the ninth inning with a 3-1 lead, Tyler Schweitzer was called upon to finish the job for the Chinooks. Schweitzer worked the Rafters rather quickly in a 1-2-3 inning, only making twelve pitches, seven of which were for strikes. Schweitzer earned his first save of the season Friday night. 

Lakeshore earned their second straight win of the second half of the season Friday night, winning their sixth game against the Rafters this season in eight games faced against Wisconsin Rapids. 

Saturday, July 10 is a busy night at Kapco Park. Fans are allowed to bring their dogs to the stadium for Bark in the Park Night featuring Paw Patrol, presented by Fleet Farm. Dogs are free and are allowed in the Fleet Farm Backyard and first base bleachers. Saturday night is also Gilly Wonka and the Golden Ticket promotion presented by Robert Haack Diamonds. Visit our social media pages on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more information. 

The Chinooks are set to take on the Kokomo Jackrabbits(3-1) Saturday night at 6:35 p.m.