Chinooks beat the Express 1-0 in 14 innings on a Rainy Wednesday Night at Kapco Park

The Chinooks find themselves in yet another extra-inning game with both teams having trouble producing a run.

The Chinooks took on the Eau Claire Express for the second night in a row. The excitement started in the bottom of the 7^th inning when the Chinooks loaded the bases with no outs chasing the Express starting pitcher from the game. Jake Cole of the Express came in striking out three straight batters leaving the bases loaded and no runs on the board.

After stranding a runner in the 8^th, Ryan Krill started off the bottom of the 9^th with a shot off the Express pitcher’s glove putting him on 1^st base. Pierce then came to the plate and advanced pinch runner Dan Sayles to second with a sacrifice bunt. Jared Fon forced a walk putting runners on 1^st and 2^nd. Sawyer Polen then hit a dribbler between the Express pitcher and shortstop forcing confusion. Sayles looked to end the game by rounding 3^rd base and heading for home but was stopped in his tracks being the third and final out of the 9^th.

Chinooks pitcher Alex Young took care of the Express in the top of the 10^th, bringing Brant Valach up in the bottom half of the inning. Valach led off the inning being hit by a pitch. After being advanced to second on with a shot off the pitcher, the Chinooks looked to be in good shape but could not bring home what would be the game ending run.

After both teams could not get a runner on from the 11^th inning until the bottom of the 14^th inning when Jared Fon hit a single and stole second to spark another opportunity to end the game. Chris Manning who was seeking his first hit of the game, came up to the plate and finally put the 14 inning game to rest with an RBI single making the final score 1-0.

Manager Eddy Morgan commented on the game bringing up how winning an extra inning showdown can boost the players confidence. In the Northwoods League there are games almost every day and having confidence is important. The Chinooks also did have some troubles bringing home runs leaving runners in scoring position in multiple innings. Morgan touched on how the weather is a factor for both teams, but there is no doubt if they convert with runners in scoring position the Chinooks will be a hard team to beat.  

Chinooks pitching threw another shutout led by starter Joe Greenfield.

The 3-4 Chinooks look to win their third straight as they take on the La Crosse Loggers on Thursday at 6:35 PM. The Loggers are currently 5-3. Fans in attendance for Thursday’s game will receive a Lakeshore Chinooks mini batting helmet.