It was a night full of fun and fireworks, on and off the field, as the Battle Creek Bombers defeated the Kalamazoo Growlers 11-9. Wednesday, July 3rd started the second half of the 2019 Northwoods season and the Bombers are out to a 1-0 start.

Things got going early as the Growlers plated two runs in the top of the 2nd inning. In the bottom half of the frame the Bombers picked up their first lead of the game after scoring four runs.

Battle Creek started off the bottom of the 2nd with five straight singles scoring three runs. After that flurry of offense from the Bombers, it was the newest face in the Battle Creek lineup making his name known. OF/IF Caleb Balgaard hit into a fielder’s choice that would score Michael Morissette from third marking the first RBI of the season for Balgaard.

The Growlers would regain the lead in the 3rd as they plated an additional three runs. A one out single from shortstop Austin Knight would start the charge for Kalamazoo. Bomber starter Ty Shoaff balked to move Knight to second and then a wild pitch sent him to third. Knight would be driven in by a Gabe Rivera double. The Growlers would score two more in the frame after a walk, two steals, and a single. 

The Growlers got right back after it in the top of the 5th as they exploded for four runs bringing the score to 9-4. A walk, followed by a balk, and an error would score one. Back to back doubles in the next two at bats would score two more and the Growlers would round out the inning with a run via a sacrifice fly.

Trailing 9-4 the Bombers responded once again in the bottom half of a tough defensive inning. A walk started things off and after a fly out, the Bombers hit back to back singles to load the bases. In a big spot in the bottom of the 5th, outfielder Kolby Johnson answered the bell. Johnson crushed a ball to right-center field for a triple that cleared the bases for Battle Creek. The throw meant for Johnson at third got away from the Growlers and Johnson would score off that error.

Trailing by just one in the 7th inning, Battle Creek reached back for a little more magic. An error and a walk would put two on with no outs for Kolby Johnson. With a hit and run on for the Bombers, Johnson grounded out but moved both runners. An intentional walk loaded the bases for Battle Creek and after one more out Roy Thurman was hit by a pitch to tie the game. With the bases still loaded for the Bombers, Balgaard stepped up again. A single drove in two more runs putting the Bombers out in front 11-9.

Burrell Jones would maintain his perfect ERA as he helped the Bombers hold on to the lead and win the first game of the second half of the Northwoods season.

The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Currently in its’ 26th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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, over 200 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (MIA). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com or download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.