Eli Benes

MEQUON, Wi.- In a game where they trailed by eight runs down to their last three outs, the Lakeshore Chinooks nearly pulled off an incredible comeback, eventually falling to Royal Oak 11-10 on Thursday, July 30.

Before a ninth inning that saw 16 of the 21 runs scored come across the board, the Chinooks led Royal Oak going into the ninth. Leading 3-2, the Chinooks pitching staff held Royal Oak to five hits through the first eight innings.

On offense, the Chinooks faced the Northwoods League runner up in strikeouts, Spencer Boynton. Spencer went 5.1 innings in his start, allowing three earned runs on eight hits. Against Boynton, the Chinooks went 2-5 with runners in scoring position.

Receiving five innings of two-run ball from starting pitcher Christopher Romo, the Chinooks bullpen was highlighted by two scoreless innings from left hander Mateo Fuentes in the seventh and eighth inning. Fuentes frequently missed bats in his appearance, striking out five on 12 whiffs.

With Fuentes throwing 44 pitches in his two innings of work, the Chinooks opted to go their bullpen with a save opportunity. That’s when Royal Oak caught fire, scoring nine runs off six hits. A bases-clearing three-run double off the bat of Tate Deal blew the game open at 11-3.

Stunned at their home field, the Chinooks did not back down. Putting a scare into Royal Oak, the Chinooks drove in seven runs before making an out. During this stretch, Royal Oak employed three different pitchers, walking six batters in the process.

Down just one run with zero outs recorded, the Chinooks put runners on first and second base. Despite their effort, a double play and strikeout ended their hopes of a comeback. Although they lost, the Chinooks battled when the game looked out of reach.

“It’s just who these guys are… Guys are still yelling from the dugout and we’re down eight runs,” Field Manager Brian Gregory said. “You could definitely tell the not quit mentality [is] who they are.”

In Thursday’s dramatic finish, Gregory said his club learned a lot.

“I think anytime you can learn during a nine-inning game, it’s all a part of the process of the game. We’re going to be all right for tomorrow.”

With Thursday’s contest being the series opener against Royal Oak, the Chinooks have a chance to split the two-game set, with first pitch on Friday, July 31 set for 6:35 pm CDT.