Wisconsin Rapids, WI – A rally in the top of the ninth gave the Chinooks a lead after the Rafters took charge mid-way through the game resulting in a 7-5 win over the Rafters.
The Chinooks (17-17) and the Rafters (27-6) both got a hot start at the plate in the first inning with the chinooks taking a 3-2 lead.
The Chinooks found an early lead with back-to-back doubles from Caleb Bartolero and Matthias Haas. Adding to the lead was an RBI triple by Adian Longwell and then gained another run in the top of the second with a Jack Firestone home run to left field taking a 4-2 lead.
Tommy Lamb (0-0, 9.00 ERA) got the start on the mound for the Chinooks. Lamb pitched five innings with a total of five strikeouts allowing five runs on five hits.
The Rafters brought it back to a one-run game in the bottom of the fourth inning on a Harry Owen home run for his second home run in the two-day series.
In the bottom of the fight inning, the Rafters re-sparked at the plate. With two walks and a hit by pitch, the bases were loaded for the Rafters. A two-run RBI from Garrett Broussard gave the Rafters a 5-4 lead, with another run on its way to the plate, the Chinooks defense came in with an 8-4-2 relay to keep the Rafters lead at one.
Calvin Bickerstaff (2-2, 1.17 ERA) came in mid-way through the fifth inning for the Chinooks. Bickerstaff in his two innings had two strikeouts and held the Rafters to two hits and no runs.
The Chinooks found themselves at a wall at the plate as they were held hitless after the fourth inning and struggled to keep up with the Rafters. Although the Rafters continued to make contact at the plate, the Chinooks held them to keep the one run lead all the way until the top of the ninth inning.
Mitch Muller (3-1, 1.10 ERA) came in for relief in the eighth inning getting the win for the Chinooks. Muller had two strikeouts and allowed no runs and one hit.
The Chinooks headed into the top of the ninth, down by one run and down to their final three outs. After Longwell reached base on a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch, pinch hitter John Bay in his first at bat of the night tied the game off an RBI double. That was just the start for the Chinooks as Michael Seegers brought in Bay off a bunt to take a one run lead. A single to right field by Firestone, moved Seegers into scoring position as Tony Livermore stepped up to the plate bringing in Seegers off a base hit through the right side to take a 7-5 lead.
The Rafters had one last chance to make up the runs, but the Chinooks had other plans. The Chinooks sat the Rafters down in order as they took game two of the series.
The Chinooks head to Kenosha to take on the Kingfish tomorrow at 5:05 p.m.
