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Published On: June 30th, 2022

Mequon, Wis – Tonight’s game between the Lakeshore Chinooks (16-16) and the Battle Creek Battle Jacks (16-16) was a one sided affair that the Chinooks would like to forget. Lakeshore never really got into a groove as a hot start by Battle Creek resulted in a big deficit that they were unable to overcome, ultimately losing 15-7. Chinook pitchers struggled throughout the night to keep Battle Creek hitters off base, giving up 15 earned runs and walking seven total hitters. Lakeshore ultimately split the series with Battle Creek and will try to bounce back as they head out on the road tomorrow.

Johnny Czeslawski (L, 0-3) started on the mound for Lakeshore, but was only able to make it through 1.1 innings before Marc Lidd came in for 1.2 innings of relief. However, by the end of the third inning the Chinooks were trailing the Battle Jacks 11-1. Garrett Martin scored off a solo home run to left field in the bottom of the second, accounting for Lakeshore’s only run through the first five innings.

Battle Creek continued their onslaught throughout the game, scoring runs in almost every inning. Lakeshore used the sixth and seventh innings to chip away at the lead though, putting up six additional runs by the end of the seventh. With bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth, Tony Livermore was hit by a pitch that resulted in a run scoring for Lakeshore. The bottom of the seventh turned out to be a big inning for the Chinooks, with Josh Johnson hitting an RBI single with bases loaded to make the score 15-3. Jack Firestone then drew a bases loaded walk with two outs to score another run for Lakeshore. This set up Livermore for a big play, and he delivered. Livermore hit a 3-RBI double to right field to clear the bases, adding to his stellar game. The Chinooks finished the seventh still trailing 15-7.

The eighth and ninth innings were quiet as both teams went scoreless in the last two frames of the night.

With the loss today, the Chinooks drop back to an even 16-16, .500 record on the year. Even with the loss, Lakeshore moves into second place in the Great Lakes West division after Fond Du Lac was defeated tonight by the Kalamazoo Growlers. The team’s recent stretch of play is very encouraging though, going 14-8 after starting off the summer at 2-8. While Wisconsin Rapids has clinched a playoff berth for the first half of the season, Lakeshore remains in serious contention to make a push for the playoffs at the end of the summer.

Garrett Martin continues to be a force at the plate. Since joining the team a few weeks ago, Martin has made a case for the Northwoods All Star game in Wisconsin Rapids. Here is a look at his batting line since joining the team:

16 GP / 59 AB / 23 H / .390 AVG / 8 HR / 25 RBI / 21 R / 18 BB

Martin is also the Northwoods League leader in home runs at eight, despite having almost half as many at-bats as qualifying players. Martin and Matt Deprey have led the Chinooks offense this year, becoming one of the top hitting duos in the league. As a 3-4 punch in the daily lineup, the two have combined to put up big numbers for Lakeshore. Matt Deprey’s stats are equally impressive:

24 GP / 103 AB / 41 H / .398 AVG / 4 HR / 22 RBI / 18 R / 10 BB

Both players hope to earn invitations to the Northwoods League All Star Game in July and the Major League Dreams Showcase in August.

Next up, the Chinooks will travel to Wisconsin Rapids where they will play a two game series against the league-leading Rafters on the road. The series will be a great litmus test for Lakeshore as they try and gain ground on the 26-5 Rafters at Witter Field. First pitch is scheduled for tomorrow at 6:35pm.