Mequon, WI – A huge second inning for the Madison Mallards doomed the Lakeshore Chinooks, and the Mallards cruised to a 10-5 win, only the second loss for the Chinooks in the second half.
Chinooks starting pitcher Kyle Schmitt was hit hard, giving up six runs and failing to escape the second inning. Madison got the scoring started with a run in the first on a David Vinksy single to center field, sending Trevor Schwecke around to score after he doubled.
But it was the second inning that put the Chinooks in a hole they couldn’t climb out of. Garrett Kueber singled and scored on a Jesse Forestell triple. An error by Chinooks first baseman Ronald Sweeny III allowed Forestell to score extending the lead to three. Then two singles and a walk loaded the bases with only one out and Schmitt was relieved for James Wright IV. After striking out Vinksy, Tyler Plantier smoked a bases clearing triple to the wall. After Drew Ober singled and scored Plantier, Wright IV managed to get Kueber to fly out to center field to end the inning.
But the damage was done, and the Mallards held a 7-0 lead after only two innings.
Lakeshore would begin the process of trying to chip away at the lead with two runs in the third inning. Dominic Clementi singled and scored on a DJ Lee double to deep center field. With two outs, Dallas Beaver ripped a double of his own bringing home Lee and making the score 7-2.
Madison answered with two more of their own in the top of the fourth, bringing the lead back to seven. Back to back doubles by Schwecke and Vinsky brought one run home, and Vinksy later scored on a wild pitch by Wright IV. Kyle Huckaby got the call from the bullpen and struck out Kueber to strand a runner on second base.
Huckaby had a great night out of the bullpen, allowing no runs over three and third innings of work. He only allowed one hit and one walk throughout his outing, while striking out two.
Lakeshore added three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, closing the gap to four. Three straight singled by Clementi, Lee, and Jack Dunn scored one run. With guys on second and third with one out, the Mallards went to the bullpen and brought in left-hander Turner French. Beaver struck out, but with two outs Christian Boulware singled between third and short, scoring Lee and Dunn.
The Mallards pushed the lead to five again though, plating one more in the top of the ninth inning against Chinooks right-hander Nick Campe. Kueber singled and moved up two bases on a wild pitch by Campe and an errant throw from the catcher Boulware.
The Chinooks will look to get their first win against the Mallards tomorrow evening as they travel to Madison for a 7:05 PM start. Nate Odahl (3-2, 4.18 ERA) will get the start for the Chinooks.
