La Crosse, Wis.– On Tuesday evening, six Chinook players represented their Lakeshore squad in the Major League Dreams Showcase event. The showcase event offered each player to show off their skills and talents for MLB scouts who attended the game. 

Before their game, the players were put through a few drills in front of the scouts. The outfielders arms were tested, the infielders practiced their front hand and backhand fielding and the pitchers were treated to a relaxing pregame routine of shagging balls in the outfield. 

Of the six players who were invited to the showcase, five participated, five saw playing time and five delivered for their respective teams. Griffin Doersching, Tommy Lamb, Tyler Kean and Mitch Mueller each played on Visiting Team One, facing off against Orlando Salinas on Home Team One.

Playing in front of tens of professional and collegiate scouts, the players felt the pressure of performing at a high level. 

“Every game has its importance, but this game just feels that much higher just because of how talented everybody is,” said Doersching after the game.

Representing the top 100 players of the Northwoods League, the pitchers made note of the hitters they were facing as well. 

“Everybody’s very talented here and everybody’s a tough at-bat,” Kean said. 

In a very high-scoring ball game, Visiting Team One was victorious, beating Home Team One 18-16. 

In the barnburner of a game, Doersching plated four RBI’s on two hits and a walk in his seven tries at the plate. Most notably, Doersching plated two runs on a double to deep center field in the top of the seventh inning. His dominance all summer for the Lakeshore lineup easily translated into the showcase, proving why he’s one of the Northwoods League best bats. 

Doersching was the only Chinook to start at the beginning of the ball game, though four of his teammates would make their mark later in the game. 

Pitchers Tommy Lamb, Mitch Mueller and Tyler Kean all threw hitless innings, each pitcher making most of the three outs they were given. Their three scoreless innings represented three of the only four scoreless innings Away Team One was able to muster in the ball game.

“Represent well, show what Lakeshore pitching is about and we did just that,” Mueller said.

They did just that. The Lakeshore Chinooks pitching has been their strongest facet all season, currently throwing the ninth-best ERA in the league of 4.38. 

Lamb took the mound in the bottom of the sixth inning, getting the chance to face off against Lakeshore teammate Salinas. 

The Lamb family hosted Salinas this summer, making for a fun rivalry at the plate. On a 3-0 count, Lamb got the lefty hitter to roll over on a groundout to first base.

“We both were hoping we could face each other,” Lamb said. “We both couldn’t stop smiling. ‘Hey’, I got him out so I’m happy.” 

After Lamb retired the side in the sixth, Mueller entered the game in the bottom of the seventh, striking out a pair of hitters on his way to a 1-2-3 inning as well. 

Kean entered in the bottom of the ninth with the chance at garnering the save for Away Team One. The right-hander from the Ohio State University found his rhythm after hitting the leadoff batter, closing the door on Home Team One. Kean has yet to allow an earned run all summer, continuing his streak to seven consecutive games and 10 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run. 

Tuesday marked the final off day of the summer for the Chinooks who return to Madison tomorrow night for their final game in Madison, looking to make a final push for a playoff berth. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.