Green Bay, Wisconsin – After a thrilling 17-11 win earlier in the day, the Chinooks couldn’t find their a-game as they lost to the Green Bay Rockers 7-1 in the nightcap of the doubleheader. The Chinooks looked to keep their momentum going and a four-game winning streak alive. A win in the second game of the doubleheader also would’ve got the Chinooks back to a .500 record. The Chinooks weren’t able to get back in the ball game as they fell into an early deficit.
The Chinooks pitching didn’t get off to a great start. Scott Rouse who had an ERA of 0.69 entering tonight’s game had been pitching like an ace for the Chinooks so far this season. Tonight against the Rockers, he didn’t have as good of a start compared to his first two. Rouse pitched 3 innings, gave up 3 earned runs, and struggled with his command by allowing 3 walks. Zach Carlsen came in for relief, but gave up 4 earned runs in just 0.2 innings pitched. Calvin Bickerstaff and Marc Lidd combined to pitch the last 4.1 innings and shut out the Rockers the rest of the game. Bickerstaff led the pitching staff tonight with 4 strikeouts.
On the offensive side for the Chinooks, not much went right either. Justin Loer of the Rockers threw a quality start with 6 innings pitched, 8 strikeouts, 5 hits, and only gave up one earned run. The Chinooks offense had their best scoring opportunity in the top of the 6th with Loer starting to get tired. Stephen Hrustich had the lone RBI tonight with a single that scored Garrett Martin. John Bay got a walk to load the bases for the Chinooks, but Loer pitched out of the jam. The Chinooks left three runners on base in a pivotal moment that could’ve potentially changed the game.
Chase Pelter finished off the Chinooks with a dominant 3-inning save. He gave up no runs and threw four strikeouts to help give the Rockers their first home win of the season. Matt Deprey was the only Chinooks hitter that had a multi-hit game tonight. Deprey is still one of the Northwoods League leaders in batting average with a .421 clip a quarter into the season.
The Chinooks drop to 8-10 for the season while the Rockers are only 2 games behind with a record of 6-12. The Chinooks move on to play a two-game series against the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders starting Friday night at Herr-Baker Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35pm.
