Seventh-Inning Rally Pushes Chinooks Past Rivets for Sixth-Straight Win
June 18, 2021 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Lakeshore Chinooks News Release
After 6 1/2 innings, the Lakeshore Chinooks' five-game winning streak appeared to be in jeopardy.
Placing one run on the board by the third against a Rockford team it scored eleven on the night prior, Lakeshore began to run out of time.
But in his second appearance, newcomer Mike Sears stepped up to the plate, lighting the spark that sustained with a two-run home run to guide the Chinooks (10-7) to their eighth victory in nine contests, 4-3.
Chinooks starting pitcher Nate Haberthier jumped out of the gates with two consecutive strikeouts in the top of the first inning, as he appeared to be in control early.
The Rivets (8-10) would not go down quietly, as third baseman Wade Elliott worked a two-out walk after second baseman Josue Urdaneta registered an infield single. The scoring threat swelled upon baserunners' double steal bringing up shortstop Brody Harding, who lined a single to right field for the evening's first run.
Runners remained on the corners, and first baseman Brian Fuentes hit a two-out RBI, bringing Rockford a 2-0 advantage.
The Chinooks had a modest answer in the third. Grounding out to second base, center fielder Collin Mathews scored first baseman Griffin Doersching, while third baseman Brennen Bales moved to third base.
Lakeshore sliced the two-run deficit in half, though conserved its scoring surge for the seventh frame.
Chinooks reliever Tyler Schweitzer entered with one out in the fifth and kept the Rivets scoreless, filling Haberthier after three earned runs were relinquished on five hits.
The southpaw escaped the top half of the seventh, having forced a fly out to center field sandwiched by two groundouts.
The late Lakeshore rally started on a more silent note, with catcher Riley Swenson earning a full-count walk.
And then Sears, a shortstop of Indiana State, breathed new life into Kapco Park.
The redshirt sophomore announced his arrival to the Northwoods League with his first home run of the season, tying the ball game at three.
Enjoying a 3-for-4 performance, two-way contributor Brennen Bales gave his team the push it needed. A solo shot to left field remained the game's final run, as the Chinooks grasped the 4-3 lead.
Mathews advanced to first base on a throwing error, yet no further damage was done in the eighth or ninth innings.
Schweitzer's night concluded after 3 1/3 innings, in which he surrendered three hits and struck out two batters in the eighth.
Reliever Jim Jarecki, who finished the frame on a pop out, and Bales teamed up to seal the Rivets' chances of mounting a one-run comeback. Bales earned the save having fired 12 pitches in the ninth, Schweitzer garnered his first win, and Jake Armstrong, responsible for Lakeshore's first three runs, was tacked with the loss.
The Chinooks welcome in Kalamazoo for a doubleheader Saturday, picking up in the fourth inning after an initial weather postponement on June 9. Game 2 will begin at 6:35 p.m. or 30 minutes after the conclusion of the 4 p.m. showdown.
Northwoods League Stories from June 18, 2021
- Huskies Hang on to Even Series - Duluth Huskies
- Rafters Win Fourth Straight, Sweep Growlers - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Seventh-Inning Rally Pushes Chinooks Past Rivets for Sixth-Straight Win - Lakeshore Chinooks
- Booyah Fall on the Road - Green Bay Rockers
- Pit Spitters Shut-Out Battle Creek, Bust out Brooms - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Woodchucks Unable to Complete Comeback - Wausau Woodchucks
- Robison's Gem Leads Rox to Sweep of Rochester - St. Cloud Rox
- Costly Errors Lead to Bombers Fourth Straight Loss - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
- Bucks 12th Bike Ride Set for July 18 - Waterloo Bucks
- Booyah Look to Stay Hot - Green Bay Rockers
- Michigan Brewers Guild Announces Return of Beer Festivals - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Early Runs Doom Rockford in Loss to Lakeshore - Rockford Rivets
- Bombers Drop Third Straight with Tough Loss to Traverse City - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
- Loggers Roll to 4th Straight with 7-1 Win - La Crosse Loggers
- Honkers Fall in Opener with St. Cloud - Rochester Honkers
- Growlers Drop Series Opener to Rafters - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Kingfish Fall to Kokomo in Series Opener - Kenosha Kingfish
- High-Scoring Affair Favors Chinooks for Seventh-Straight Road Victory - Lakeshore Chinooks
- Booyah Come from Behind Again - Green Bay Rockers
- Stingers Drop First Game in La Crosse - Willmar Stingers
- Rafters Score 13 in Rout over Growlers - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Mallards Fall in Close Game at Wausau - Madison Mallards
- Rox Bounce Back, Knock off Rochester on the Road - St. Cloud Rox
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
