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Published On: July 4th, 2022

Mequon, WI – While there were no post-game fireworks, the Chinooks (18-18) gave fans good reason to cheer as they defeated the Kingfish (17-19) 4-1 on Independence Day. The game was temporarily halted by a rain and thunder delay that happened at the end of the third inning and lasted about an hour before play resumed. The hour off was apparently enough for Lakeshore, who came out with a bang after the delay to help secure the win.

Johnny Czeslawski started on the mound for Lakeshore tonight and pitched two scoreless innings, giving up just one hit and striking out three hitters before Tim Baird (W, 1-0) came in to pitch 1.2 innings with no earned runs scored.

The Chinooks wasted no time getting things started, scoring their first run in the bottom of the first inning. Tony Livermore hit a lead-off single to put him on first. A groundout would advance Livermore to second base with Garrett Martin coming to the plate. Martin smashed an RBI single to bring Livermore home and put Lakeshore on the board, finishing the inning up 1-0 over Kenosha.

The third inning would see both teams score again before the rain delay put things on hold. Kenosha scored off a Jacob Tobias RBI double to tie the game at 1-1. But, the Chinooks responded in the bottom of the third after Caleb Bartolero doubled with two outs and Aiden Longwell drove him in on an RBI single. The third inning would end with the Chinooks leading Kenosha, 2-1.

After taking an hour off due to inclement weather, both teams came back to the field and resumed play. Lakeshore used the bottom of the fifth inning to extend their lead over Kenosha by adding on two additional runs. Michael Seegers hit a single with one out to put him on first and Garrett Martin followed next with a double to center, putting men on second and third base with one out. Bartolero hit a bases-clearing 2-RBI triple, extending Lakeshore’s lead to 4-1 over Kenosha. Bartolero finished the game going 2 for 4 at the plate with a double and an RBI.

“We’ve faced their lefty in the past, so i had a pretty good plan going into the game” Bartolero said. “I just tried to execute that plan tonight, and i got rewarded.”

Kanan Butler and Luke Schafer pitched 4.1 innings of scoreless relief for the Chinooks, striking out five hitters to set up the last few frames of the game.

“Being the last game of the first half, we’re trying to establish our staff” Coach Travis Akre said. “Really credit our guys, and Kanan Butler…he came out and really competed and gave us his best…Luke Schafer was really good today. He’s a really great talent and we just need to get him going. His last few outings have been great.”

The Chinooks would also score once more in the bottom of the eighth inning. Seegers drew a bases loaded, RBI walk to make the score 5-1 heading into the ninth. Michael Seegers and Garret Martin also finished the night going 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Marc Lidd closed out the game for Lakeshore, pitching a scoreless ninth inning. Lakeshore won 5-1 and has now finished the first half of the season with an 18-18 record. The Chinooks will set their sights on the second half of the season starting on Wednesday with playoff aspirations.

“We’re a month into this thing…its cool to see these guys form their identity and work each day at the ball park” Akre said. “This is where it gets fun…but it’s also a challenge as these guys have had a long fall, a long spring, and this is where it really starts to test you mentally.”

The Chinooks have a league-wide off day tomorrow before taking on the Battle Creek Battle Jacks on the road Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35pm.