All photos of NWL South Division Playoffs Game 2 available on Flickr.
Congratulations to the Lakeshore Chinooks in winning the Northwoods League Summer Collegiate World Series! The Chinooks had just about as easy a path to a title as possible, dominating the league with a ridiculous winning percentage of over .700. They finished the regular season with the best record in the league at 50-21, won both halves of the South Division, and swept the playoffs with a perfect 4-0 record. I was in attendance at Game 2 of the South Division finals in Mequon, in which the Chinooks advanced to the NWL Championship with a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Wisconsin Woodchucks in 10 innings. The starter for the Chinooks, Shaun Anderson, threw just about the best pitching performance I've seen in the Northwoods League, or in any game for that matter. He gave up only 1 run with 6 strikeouts and nearly went the distance, getting removed from the game after 26 outs. Zack Bowers had a big series for Lakeshore, notching the game-winning hit in both games of the sweep. The Chinooks would then go on to defeat the Mankato Moondogs for their first title in only the 3rd year of the franchise. I've now been fortunate enough to witness championship campaigns in both of what I consider my "home" ballparks, Madison and Mequon, in consecutive years. The end of the Northwoods League season is always one of the first signs that summer is almost over, and I am already looking forward to next season.STANDINGS AND UPCOMING SERIES AS OF 08.21:
Brewers 71-56, +1.5, (3 v. Pirates, 3 @ Padres, 3 @ Giants)
Reds 61-67, -10.5, -7.0 WC (4 v. Braves, 3 v. Cubs, 3 @ Pirates)
Twins 56-70, -14.0, -12.5 WC (4 v. Tigers, 3 @ Royals, 4 @ Orioles)
2014 GAMES ATTENDED:
Erik - 6 (+24 worked)
Peter - 35
touch with baseball when his childhood heroes Robin Yount, Paul Molitor, and Jim Gantner retired but the Great Home Run Chase of 1998 reignited his passion. As a student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Erik became involved with the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity. With this group Erik traveled to Portland, OR and Baltimore, MD to work on construction projects and help the group raise $25,000 to partially sponsor a house in Milwaukee. Also at UWM, Erik met Peter Nagel. The two attended their first Brewers game together during Opening Weekend 2003. Despite their failure to ignite the coals at their first tailgate, the two had a blast and were soon making weekly trips to the ballpark. Erik has gone on to several colleges and changed careers several times, and has moved all the way out to New Hampshire, but has always stayed true to his baseball roots by holding part-time stadium usher jobs. To this day he looks back fondly on his incredible cross-country journey.
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