Chiefs Ride Strong Seventh Inning to Tie Series with Loons

Peoria, IL – The Chiefs entered Thursday’s contest still in search of their first home victory of the season, and a late offensive push yielded them the result they were hoping for, defeating the Great Lakes Loons by a final of 5-2.

Great Lakes came out of the gates swinging once again and took an early second inning edge on a Zac Ching double to make it 1-0. The Chiefs then answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame to snatch their first lead in the series.

After the Loons tied the game in the fourth, the pitcher’s duel remained deadlocked at two apiece until the seventh, when Peoria’s offense came alive. Four of the first five men that came to hit reached base. A double from Noah Mendlinger was followed up by a Masyn Winn triple that gave the Chiefs a permanent lead. Aaron Antonini and Tommy Jew again paid dividends, each delivering RBI knocks of their own to tack on added insurance for the Chiefs.

In relief, Logan Gragg, Nick Trogrlic-Iverson and Ryan Loutos combined for seven innings of one run baseball. The trio put the finishing touches on the Chiefs’ first victory inside the friendly confines of Dozer Park in 2022. Trogrlic-Iverson collected the win out of the bullpen, while Loutos earned his first professional save.

The series continues with a doubleheader on Friday. Game one will start at 5:00 p.m., with gates opening at 4:30. Tickets for Friday’s contests will be valid for both games. Michael McGreevy is slated to start the opener. The Cardinals 2021 first-round draftee did not allow a hit in his first start. Gordon Graceffo will start game two.