The Bombers did the impossible on Saturday night: won 3-1 against the Madison Mallards, and in the process, clinched the regular season championship in the Southern Division, having won both halfs, less than a year removed from going 20-50, and being the worst team in the NWL in 2010.
The Bombers scored in the first, when Jordan Dean came home from third on a Danny Rockett sacrifice fly into left field, but the Mallards came back with a run of their own in the third, when Mike McQuillan made up for his two defensive errors by hitting an RBI double to tie the game. Battle Creek pulled ahead again in the fourth when Rhett Goodmiller brought home Dan Dispensa on one of his two singles. The Bomb Squad put it away in the eighth on a Jimmy Martinez base hit into left.
Scott Simmons was a trooper for Battle Creek, making his first start of 2011 when his team needed him most, and came through in the clutch: he went 5.1 innings and allowed just one run and three hits, while striking out and walking just three. Kevin Schultz tossed two innings of scoreless relief, and Kristian Calibuso notched his 11th save.
The playoff picture is now set: Battle Creek will host the Green Bay Bullfrogs in the playoffs, with homefield advantage. After tonight’s game against Madison (5:05pm Eastern) the Bombers will travel to Green Bay for Game One, followed by a pair (if necessary) back home at C.O. Brown Stadium before the championship series with either the Mankato Moondogs or the Alexandria Beetles.
