Mequon, WIS. – The game started out quietly for the first few innings. The Woodchucks were able to get a few base hits, but couldn’t convert on runs. Myles Gayman got out to an incredibly quick start, retiring six of the first seven hitters he faced with four strikeouts.
The Chinooks struck first in the bottom of the third inning. A walk, error and single loaded the bases for Lakeshore, and with one out, Cameron Hart ripped a double to score two runs and make the score 2-0. Ronald Sweeny III hit a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0, and a Nathan Aide single made it a 4-0 game going into the fourth inning.
The Woodchucks finally got on the board in the series in the top of the fifth. Cam Swanger reached on a leadoff walk, and came around to score when Kaeber Rog drove him in with an RBI single for the first Chucks run of the day. Kyle Simmons then drew a walk to bring up T.J. Reeves. Reeves hit a ball to the shortstop Savy Pinales, who then threw the ball away to allow Rog to score. Simmons ended up on third base, where he scored from shortly after on a Byron Murray sacrifice fly. Going into the sixth, the score was 4-3 in the Chinooks favor.
The Chucks tied it up in the top of the sixth inning when Nolan Soliveres brought home Cam Swanger from second base with an RBI single. The Chucks had the chance to take the lead and have a big inning, but Soliveres was thrown out going to home plate on a ground ball hit by Kyle Simmons.
The Woodchucks had a great opportunity to take the lead in the top of the eighth. They loaded the bases with nobody out, but Nolan Soliveres and Kaeber Rog both struck out. Adam Frank came in as a pinch hitter but grounded out to shortstop to end the inning.
The Chinooks did not fail on their scoring opportunity in the bottom of the eighth. After Woodchuck pitcher Lenny Gwizdala recorded the first two outs, the Chinooks got a base hit and drew a walk, Gunner Hellstrom took the plate and singled to bring in Nathan Aide to give the Chinooks a 5-4 lead going into the ninth.
Chinook closer Will Klein was lights out in the top of the ninth, striking out all three batters he faced to help Lakeshore hold on for the victory. The Chinooks sweep the series, and the Woodchucks fall to 17-17.
Top Performers
Myles Gayman pitched six innings, striking out six in his final start of the season for the Woodchucks
Cameron Swanger went 2-2 with a double and a single, he reached base four times and scored two runs.
Next Up
The Woodchucks will head to Fond du Lac tomorrow to face the Dock Spiders. They will return home to Athletic Park on Tuesday, July 2nd vs. the Dock Spiders. First pitch is at 6:35 pm and gates open one hour before. It is Wisconsin Special Night featuring beer, brats, and cheese curds for $2! For tickets, call us at 715.845.5055, stop by our front office, or visit woodchucks.com.