After ending a six-game losing streak with a win against Wisconsin Rapids last night, the Lakeshore Chinooks (12-22) traveled to take on the Wausau Woodchucks (15-19) Wednesday night at Athletic Park. Lakeshore got out to an early 6-1 lead, but couldn’t hold on in an 8-7 loss.

The Woodchucks got on the board quickly in their first at-bat. Dwight Allen hit a one-out double, and then scored on a wild pitch from Lakeshore starter Mitch Alba, which would become a common occurrence in this one, to give Wausau a 1-0 lead.

Lakeshore responded in a big way in the top of the second. The first three batters were able to reach to load the bases with nobody out. Following a fly out, Jacob Nelson was able to tie the game at 1-1 on an RBI single.

Then, Drew Townsend followed with a two-RBI double down the right field line to give Lakeshore their first lead of the day at 3-1. Jack Counsell brought in another run on a sac fly to make it 4-1 Lakeshore.

Sam Hojnar kept the train moving with a two-out RBI single to extend the lead to 5-1. Then, a balk would bring in Adam Cootway to cap off a six-run inning, putting the Chinooks ahead 6-1.

Wausau would start chipping away slowly each inning. In the bottom of the second frame, they got one back on another wild pitch to make it 6-2.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Woodchucks would add a couple more. A couple one-out singles put two runners on base, and then a pass ball allowed both runners to advance into scoring position. Wausau would score their third run of the game on a wild pitch from Alba, the third wild pitch resulting in a run.

Michael Maginnis brought in one more on an RBI single to cut the Lakeshore lead to 6-4 after three innings of play.

The Wausau offense came alive again in the bottom of the sixth. A couple of hits and a walk loaded the bases quickly with nobody out off of new Lakeshore pitcher Dj Kojis. Kojis walked in a run with the bases loaded and all of a sudden it was a one-run game.

The Woodchucks finally tied the game at 6-6 on a fielder’s choice, scoring five unanswered runs in the process.

Dwight Allen continued his big game with an RBI single to put Wausau in front 7-6, his third hit of the game. Wausau would tack on one more on a fielder’s choice, extending their lead to 8-6.

In the top of the eighth inning, the Chinooks scored their first run since the second inning. After loading the bases, Jack Counsell brought in his second RBI of the game on a fielder’s choice, cutting the deficit to just one at 8-7.

However, Lakeshore was unable to extend the game in the ninth to drop game one of this series.

Drew Townsend led the way for the Chinooks, going 2-for-4 with two hits and two RBI.

The Lakeshore Chinooks and Wausau Woodchucks will meet again tomorrow night for the series finale. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. CST.