BATTLE CREEK, MI,. – The Bombers get their first win of the 2021 season after defeating their rivals the Kalamazoo Growlers in 3-1 fashion.

Will Christophersen was the starter for Battle Creek and pitched six innings and struck out eight while only allowing one run. Bombers starters had only averaged two and a third innings through the first four games before tonight.

The Bombers got on the board early as Miguel Larreal and Jacob McKeon both singled with one out. Then, Stephen Krause drove Larreal in on a single, and the new addition Nicholas Israel got an RBI knock to send McKeon home. This gave Battle Creek a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first.

They would extend that lead in the bottom of the fourth when Drew Dyer would single on a bunt and an error on the Growlers catcher allowed Dyer to get to third base with only one out. Three pitches later, a ball would get passed the catcher Cooper Doughman and allow Dyer to score.

The only run for Kalamazoo was in the top of the fifth. Anthony Catalano would reach on a hit by pitch. A passed ball and a single would move him to third and put runners at the corners. Don Goodes then attempted to steal second base and Dyer threw down to Larreal. Goodes was safe and on the throw, Catalano would steal home to make the game 3-1.

Christophersen would only allow that run and the bullpen was effective for Battle Creek.

Davis Burgin was the first to come in relief of Christophersen and would pitch two scoreless innings and set down two Growlers on strikes. Brayden Lloyd pitched a perfect ninth inning to record the save and the win for Battle Creek.

Christophersen would get the win and Kalamazoo starter Elijah Gill would get the loss. Gill pitched six innings striking out five, however, he would allow three runs on five hits and a walk.

Battle Creek moves to 1-4 on the year and heads to Kalamazoo for the second half of the home and home series on Saturday, June 5.

By: Josh Baker