Chinooks Split Series with Rafters to Snap Losing Streak
August 8, 2023 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Lakeshore Chinooks News Release
In their penultimate home game, the Lakeshore Chinooks (12-21) defeated the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (18-14) 5-4 Tuesday night, snapping their six-game losing streak.
"It was good to get a win," Lakeshore catcher Will Johannes said. "That's all I've really got. It's good to get a win."
The Chinooks struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Drew Townsend hit a leadoff double and Jack Counsell followed with an RBI single to give Lakeshore a 1-0 lead.
With one out, Counsell stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error. Johannes then cleared the bases with a two-run home run to straight away center, putting the Chinooks ahead 3-0 heading into the second inning.
"My whole approach was fastball away and adjust," Johannes said. "I ended up getting a fastball pretty middle and just put a good swing on it."
In the top of the fifth, Wisconsin Rapids broke through offensively. After one quick out, a fielding error was made by Jack Counsell to put a runner on first. A single and a pass ball put runners on second and third.
Lakeshore starter Michael Carpenter then threw a wild pitch to bring in the Rafters' first run of the night. Ty Johnson's RBI groundout cut Wisconsin Rapids' deficit to one run heading into the bottom of the inning.
The Chinooks tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, Jacob Nelson was hit by a pitch and stole second base to get into scoring position. Townsend then singled up the middle to bring Nelson home and put Lakeshore in front 4-2.
"(He's) been huge," Johannes said about Townsend this season. "Townie always seems to put good swings on balls, even though (the) stats might not show it. He's hitting the ball really well, some of the time he just gets unlucky."
In the bottom of the eight, Lakeshore's offense added another run to its lead. Adam Cootway got hit by a pitch and advanced to second base on a balk to lead off the frame. Carson Hansen then hit a one-out single to right field that put the Chinooks on top 5-2.
Wisconsin Rapids would score two runs in the top of the ninth, but it wouldn't be enough as Lakeshore split the series to grab its 12th win of the second half.
Townsend and Counsell both went 2-for-4 and combined for two RBIs. Carpenter (1-0) got the win, pitching 5.2 innings while striking out seven. Lakeshore reliever Nolan Kahle earned the save as he got the final two outs of the game.
Lakeshore will start its three-game road trip tomorrow in Wausau against the Woodchucks. First pitch from Athletic Park is set for 6:35 p.m. CST.
Northwoods League Stories from August 8, 2023
- Stingers Create History in Final Matchup Against Hot Tots with 21-0 Victory - Willmar Stingers
- Dogs Feast on Larks - Mankato MoonDogs
- Madison Wins Fifth Straight - Sweep Green Bay in Final Regular Season Meeting - Madison Mallards
- Wausau Scores Seven in Ninth, Beats Fond du Lac 11-4 - Wausau Woodchucks
- Rockers Come Up Short Against Madison in a One-Run Ball Game - Green Bay Rockers
- Chinooks Split Series with Rafters to Snap Losing Streak - Lakeshore Chinooks
- Rox Earn Playoff Spot, Win 9-1 Over Duluth - St. Cloud Rox
- Jacks Grab the Final Game of the Series - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Kalamazoo Wins Ninth Game of Their Last 10 - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Growlers Secure Record-Breaking Win over Traverse City - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Rockers Aim to Split Season Series with Mallards - Green Bay Rockers
- Huge Honkers Comeback Leads to Late-Inning Win - Rochester Honkers
- Rafters Grab Big Early Lead, Slash Lakeshore in the First Game of the Series - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Stingers Open Four-Game Homestand Strong, Outmuscle Hot Tots 14-3 - Willmar Stingers
- MoonDogs Offense Falls Flat in Loss to Larks - Mankato MoonDogs
- Rockers Drop Series Opener to Mallards, Win Streak Ends at Four - Green Bay Rockers
- Dock Spiders Fall to Woodchucks 11-6 - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
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