Battle Creek, Mich.—The Bombers were unable to bring home a victory in their home opener as the Kalamazoo Growlers took game one of the home and home series 5-1. Tanner Tully (Ohio State) was on the mound for the Bombers and was looked strong through three innings with three strikeouts and only one runner allowed.

The fourth inning rolled around, however, and Cody Leichman, who joined the Growlers tonight, hit a bomb to centerfield to get the Growlers on the board—and they didn’t stop there.

“That’s a good baseball team, those guys can swing it” said Coach Trivett in the locker room following the game. 

Trivett added that “their approaches were solid, they’re very well coached.”

Leichman’s HR started off a four run inning for the Growlers as the next three batters came around to score as well.

The Bombers bats were silenced by Shane Bryant who had a stellar effort through six innings giving up only one run, which was unearned.

The Bombers were able to take something positive away from the home opening loss—Dakota Mekkes (Michigan State).

The 6’6’’ Jenison native finished the night with 5 strikeouts in his first appearance with the Bombers, and his first pitching effort since last year.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been there with umpires calling strikes and ball and facing live batters when it matters” said Mekkes after the game. “I had great command of the fastball all around the plate and my changeup was really working.”

Mekkes came in and had three straight 1-2-3 innings against the Growlers which thoroughly impressed Coach Trivett.

The Bombers have had great success in their last two games with their long relievers but have not been able to come away with victories.

The Bombers will go on the road to Kalamazoo as the Growlers will host their first ever home opener in their inaugural season. The Bombers, who have lost two in a row will look to get to .500 and spoil the Growlers evening. First pitch will be at 7:05 at Homer Stryker Field in Kalamazoo.

The Bombers return home on Saturday to take on the Chinooks.

Game Notes:

WP: Shane Bryant (1-0) 6.0 IP, 2 BB, 0 K, 1 Run, 0 ER

LP: Tanner Tully (0-1) 4.0 IP, 3 K, 4 ER

In Relief: Dakota Mekkes 5.0 IP, 5 K, 3 BB, 1 ER

The Battle Creek Bombers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). For more information, visit www.battlecreekbombers.com