With the opportunity to clinch a guaranteed play off spot with two consecutive wins and a Madison loss, the Woodchucks looked for a win at home against the Lakeshore Chinooks Saturday evening.
The ‘Chucks trailed by as much as two runs in the fourth inning before scoring three in the fifth, two in the sixth, and seven in the seventh to pound the Chinooks 14-5.
The Chinooks took the immediate lead in the top of the first inning when right fielder, Forrest Chadwick blasted a two run shot to centerfield as the Chinooks jumped ahead 2-0 against Woodchucks starting pitcher, Bex Trout.
The two run lead did not stay long as Eric Filia- Snyder cut the lead to one with a single to left field that was mishandled by Drew Pearson, aiding Mike Bernal’s dash home to score the Woodchucks first run of the evening.
In the bottom of the second inning, Bryant Munoz came through with a RBI single that brought around Madison Carter to tie the game at two a piece. The inning ended however during Mike Bernal’s at bat, when Munoz was caught stealing second.
Although the offence was generating runs, Woodchucks pitcher Bex Trout struggled in his first three innings, and after leadoff hitter German Reyes singled to left field, the call to the bullpen was made as John Roberts came in to toe the rubber.
After going 0-24 for the season against the Woodchucks, Ryan Krill stepped into the Chinooks action as he belted a RBI double for his first hit sending German Reyes home to regain the 3-2 lead.
After the Ryan Krill hiccup, Roberts shut down the next two batters, and got Michael Jurgella to fly out to Joe Serrano to end the inning.
In the fourth inning, the Chinooks tacked on another run after three consecutive two out hits to increase their lead, 4-2.
Beginning the bottom of the fifth inning, Rex Morrow allowed the Woodchucks to draw closer, walking four, and allowed the ‘Chucks third run of the evening with just one out.
Brendon Hayden came to the plate in the same inning, facing Chinooks relief pitcher Elvin Einhardt as Hayden reached on a bad hop to the first basemen Ryan Krill.
Following the error, Joe Serrano took Elvin Einhardt deep enough to score Brooks Braga on the sacrifice fly for the go- ahead run as the Woodchucks jumped back in, leading 5-4.
Two more runs were added in the sixth inning when a wild pitch got passed Michael Jurgella bringing around Nate Irving from third, and an error on Sergio Sanchez allowed Mike Bernal to mount a three run comeback lead.
After four and 2/3 innings, Jordan Luvisi relieved John Roberts who gave up one run, on six hits and no walks in his Saturday night outing.
The ‘Chucks offence kept dominating late in the game however, adding seven more runs in the seventh inning, beginning with a double by Joe Luvisi that rattled against the centerfield wall, scoring Joe Serrano, and Nate Irving.
The third run came off an infield single by Mike Bernal that stumped German Reyes, allowing Joe Luvisi to come around and score from his double earlier in the inning.
The punishment continued when Eric Filia- Snyder launched a grand slam as he watched his ball take flight over the right field wall as the Woodchucks, who were down by two runs in the fourth inning, lead 14-4.
Ryan Zweck, came into close the game out against the bewildered Chinooks in his Woodchuck debut. Zweck got Charlie Markson to groundout for the first out, but trouble in the outfield allowed Forrest Chadwick to reach third on an error on Bryant Munoz.
An unearned run would cross, but Zweck shut down the final two batters to a fly out, and a slow roller back to the mound as the Woodchucks walked away with a punishing 14-5 win.
The Woodchucks are back in action Sunday against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters for a two game series. Sunday’s game will take place at Athletic Park at 5:05, and Wisconsin Rapids on Monday evening for a 7:05 start.
