Chiefs flatten Whitecaps with a one-hit shutout

Thanks to eight runs in the first three innings and a one-hit effort on the mound, the Chiefs skied over the Whitecaps 8-0 Friday night at LMCU Ballpark.

With the win, Peoria is a victory shy of its first series win since sweeping Cedar Rapids July 28-Aug 2. The Chiefs recorded their second one-hit shutout of the season after doing so on June 20 against Dayton.

After being held to just three hits in Thursday night’s loss, the Chiefs scored four runs on three hits in the first inning Friday. Sammy Hernandez and Jalin Flores singled before Tristan Bissetta walked to load the bases, and Brayden Smith launched a grand slam to right-center to give Peoria a 4-0 lead.

The Chiefs added on in the second when Andrew Williamson crushed a two-run homer to right field, extending the lead to 6-0.

Peoria tacked on two more in the third after loading the bases. Michael Dattalo drew a bases-loaded walk before Williamson drove in his third run of the night with an RBI groundout, stretching the advantage to 8-0.

West Michigan starter Jojo Ingrassia, who suffered the loss, allowed seven runs on seven hits and one walk over 2.1 innings. Eliseo Mota surrendered one run on one hit and three walks while recording two outs in relief.

Peoria starter Jacob Odle worked around five walks, striking out seven and allowing just one hit over 4.1 scoreless innings.

West Michigan relievers Win Scott and Ethan Sloan kept the Chiefs off the board over the final six innings.

The Chiefs bullpen trio of Bobby Olsen, Nate Dohm and Christian Worley combined to throw 4.2 hitless, scoreless frames. Dohm struck out three of the four batters he faced before Worley punched out all six batters he faced over the final two innings to earn the win.

Saturday’s contest begins at 6:05 p.m. CT between the Chiefs and the Whitecaps. Fans can listen to the hometown call on PeoriaChiefs.com.