Eric Semmelhack’s (UW-Milwaukee) first start with the Chinooks was more than just a first game in a Chinook uniform on Wednesday night. Semmelhack was on the mound for the first time as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers organization after being drafted in the 12^th round. Semmelhack pitched 5 innings with 3 hits, 6 BBs, 4 K’s, and 2 earned runs against the Battle Creek Bombers.

                After starting the game with two pop-outs in the first inning, Semmelhack struggled with the three and four hitters as he walked both. After a meeting on the mound with manager John Vodenlich, Semmelhack settled down and pitched strong 5 innings with fast balls topping out at 93 mph in the top of the fourth.

“You have a lot going through your mind and it’s hard to shut it all out when it comes down to it and you actually pitch. It was kind of a struggle and it was harder but I just wanted to give us a chance to win the game. In the end that’s all that really mattered,” said Semmelhack, regarding any nerves going into tonight’s game.

                The Chinooks took the lead in the 6^th as Sam Koenig (UW-Milwaukee) scored the go-ahead run for the second consecutive night, but the bullpen collapsed, giving up 9 runs in the 8^th inning to put the Chinooks on the wrong side of an 11-4 score.  Pitcher Tyler Sparger ( Indian Hills CC) and the Chinooks infield had plenty of opportunities to end the inning, but a series of gap grounders and defensive miscues kept the inning alive for the Bombers.

                The Chinooks tried to rally in the 8^th, but a great defensive play by Bombers pitcher Scott Simmons almost successfully completed a triple play.  The Bombers settled for a double play and a strikeout to close the door on the Chinooks.

                The lopsided game was decided in the 8^th 11-4 as the Bombers Chad Jasman earns the win and the Chinooks Josh Uhen garners a loss. Up next for the Chinooks is a rematch with the Bombers at 6:35 tomorrow at Kapco Park.