Wausau, Wis – The Chinooks (15-16) were in Wausau taking on the Woodchucks (19-12) for the third game in a row Tuesday night. Lakeshore was not able to capitalize on a double-header against Wausau on Monday and lost 5-2 tonight putting the Woodchucks in control of second place and a spot in the playoffs. The Chinooks offense had trouble scoring runs today, managing eight hits but only scoring two runs and stranding 10 runners on base throughout the game. The Chinooks are now on a three-game skid with only five games left in the season.
Matthew Mueller (L, 0-2) started on the mound tonight, but ran into frequent trouble during his three innings of work. Mueller finished the night going 3.0 IP but giving up 4 ER and 4 BB while striking out two hitters. Lakeshore’s bullpen, however, was able to keep Wausau contained for the rest of the game. Colin Dailey was first up from the pen, giving up just one hit in 2.1 innings of work while striking out three. Anthony Gniady had an impressive outing as well, pitching a scoreless 1.2 innings and retiring all five batters he faced consecutively. Jacob Dillon was the last pitcher in the game for the Chinooks and threw a perfect eighth inning. Dillon struck out all three batters he faced.
Offensive was the biggest struggle for the Chinooks tonight, getting their only run support of the game in the fifth inning. Bryant Diel and Joey Spence started off the fifth inning with back-to-back singles, putting men on first and second with no outs. Marcus Cline would then draw a walk with one out to load the bases for Matthias Haas. Haas took advantage of the situation and dropped a single into right field, scoring Diel. Haas finished going 3 for 4 with an RBI. This brought up Matt Deprey,who hit an RBI groundout to score Joey Spence. Deprey finished 2 for 5 with an RBI. The Chinooks were trailing 5-2 after the fifth.
Wausau was able to produce consistent offense throughout the game. The Woodchucks scored in the second, third, and fourth innings and used a three-run third to distance themselves from the Chinooks. Chase Hug of the Woodchucks went 1 for 3 tonight with a three-run home run in the third inning. Travis Stapleton was 2 for 4 tonight for Wausau as well.
The Chinooks will continue on the road and travel to Fond du Lac for a two-game series against the Dock Spiders starting tomorrow. The series presents an opportunity for Lakeshore to gain ground in the playoff race, finding themselves three games out of the second playoff spot. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35pm at Herr-Baker Field.
