By Nick Winstead
Battle Creek, Mich.—The Battle Creek Bombers are on a winning streak. After sweeping the Kenosha Kingfish the La Crosse Loggers came into town and they suffered a beat down at the hands of the Bombers—final score 15-1.
The Bombers had Dakota Mekkes (Michigan State) on the mound and he was domineering for the Bombers. The big righty had a no-hitter through 5.1 innings before the Loggers got a soft line single that landed in left field.
Mekkes consistently threw first pitch strikes in his seven innings on the mound.
“It’s nice when you get ahead, because then you can work all of the off-speed in and their behind in the count and their on the defense” said Mekkes in the dugout following the game.
It wasn’t just Mekkes who was feeling it for the Bombers, the hitting came early and did not let up as the Bombers plated eight runs in the first two innings. Spencer Thornton (San Diego State) was in the leadoff spot for the Bombers, he went 4-6, with 4 singles, 4 runs, and a stolen base. Thornton’s recent work on his swing paid off in a big way against the Loggers.
“I’ve been taking a lot of hacks on the tee after BP trying to get my swing right. Trying to stay inside of the ball, getting pitches I can hit and making the most of them” commented Thornton.
Thornton was out at centerfield for the Bombers and he, along with the rest of the Bombers defense, made play after play that kept the Loggers bats quiet the entire night.
The 14 run win was a collective effort for the Bombers as everyone played a part in the domination of the Loggers.
“I think the guys are really coming together” said Coach Rob of the Bombers in his office following the win. “Everyone we have is just hitting. If we just take it one pitch at a time and do what we do we’ll keep rolling.”
The runs came in bunches for the Bombers, four runs in the first and second, four more in the sixth and three more in the seventh. Every single Bomber who came to the plate got on base, even Luke Syens (Madison College) got in on the action.
Syens, who has come to Battle Creek to hone his pitching, came into the game in the sixth and promptly hit an RBI single. He finished the day 1-2 with 2 RBIs and a run scored.
Conor Panas (Canisius) had 3 RBIs in his first two at bats, he finished the day 2-3 with 3 RBIs and a run scored.
TJ Hillman (Texas at Arlington) took over at 2B in the 6th and had a great day at the plate. He went 2-2 with a double down the right field line and 3 RBIs.
Dillion Engle (College of Lake County) came in for the final 6 outs of the game and was stellar, giving up just one hit and put balls into play for his defense to make plays.
“It felt good” answered Engle was asked about coming into the game to finish what Mekkes had started. “It was nice to get out there and have a pretty free and easy two innings. Just go out there and throw strikes, get it over with.”
“It was a big day for the Bombers, we did it for the Creek today”
The Bombers look to sweep the Loggers Sunday. First pitch is at 5:05 at C.O. Brown Stadium.
Game Notes:
WP: Dakota Mekkes (2-1) 7.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 K, 4 BB.
Dillion Engle: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 K.
Spencer Thornton: 4-6, 4 R, SB.
Conor Panas: 2-3, 3 RBI, 1 R, SB.
TJ Hillman: 2-2, 2B, 3 RBI.
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 http://www.battlecreekbombers.com”
