Northwoods Lakeshore Chinooks

The Force Was Weak in Lakeshore's Loss to Eau Claire on Star Wars Day

Published on July 14, 2012 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Lakeshore Chinooks News Release


Star Wars day at Kapco Park brought out Storm Troopers and light sabers, but the force wasn't with the Lakeshore Chinooks as they suffered a 6-3 loss to the Eau Claire Express Saturday afternoon. The Express managed just their 5th road win this season, which ranks last in the Northwoods League.

Fans witnessed shutout baseball for the first 3 innings with Nick Soldano (North Park) took the loss on the mound for the Chinooks, up against Bryan Crabb for the Express. Eau Claire finished the game by pounding out 12 hits; nearly 3-times as many as the Chinooks managed.

"It was one of those games you have to tip the cap to their pitcher. He did a good job of just commanding the zone and coming right after us and we didn't' do a very good job offensively making those adjustments," said Assistant Coach Eddie Morgan.

After that, back-to-back-to-back RBI doubles put the Express up 3-0 in the 4th as Will Fadness, Alex Real, and Jimmy Allen all reached off Soldano. A solo homer in the 5th by Ryan Shober gave the Express some cushion to their lead.

With Crabb amidst a 1-hit shutout in the 6th, his control struggled as he hit Brian Anderson (Arkansas) to lead off the inning and then continued with a walk of Ryan Ussery (UAB) and Ryan Krill (Michigan) to load the bases. With 3 base runners still Crabb's responsibility, Eau Claire Head Coach Dan Varsho went to the bullpen for Harvey Martin to close out the inning. David Masters (Arkansas) erased the shutout with an RBI slow rolling infield single that scored Anderson. With the bases still loaded, Connor Lynch (Georgia Tech) grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to kill the Chinooks mid-game comeback.

Soldano's start ended after 5 complete innings, giving up 4 runs on 6 hits while striking out and walking a batter. The stage was then set for Eric Einhardt (Wabash Valley CC) to make his Chinooks debut.

The force seemed to be with the Chinooks in the 7th inning as Charlie Markson (Notre Dame) singled to center field to lead off the inning with his first hit of the series. Forrest Chadwick (Southern Maine) followed with his second 2-run, 7th inning home run in as many days. Chadwick's first-pitch long-shot towards Lake Michigan cleared the right field fence to bring the Chinooks deficit within 1 run.

Einhardt lasted 2+ innings while giving up 3 hits and 2 runs; which he watched cross the plate from the dugout as he was pulled in the 8th in favor of Ryan Harris (Florida) with runners on the corners. Harris gave up 1 hit, but allowed both inherited base runners to score to give the Express a 6-3 lead.

The Chinooks may have been better off trading in their wood bats for light sabers in the 9th as their comeback effort was by abruptly ended on a quick bounce to third.

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Northwoods League Stories from July 14, 2012


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