By: Harris Eisenberg

KALAMZOO, MI- It was the Bombers who came up just short in a 9-8 loss against the Growlers Saturday night.

A three-run double by Kalamazoo’s Anthony Catalano in the bottom of the sixth inning that put the Growlers ahead for good. Catalano came into the game as a pinch hitter in the fifth inning.

Battle Creek got off to a fast start off Growlers starter Michael Dunkelberger. The Bombers scored four runs in the first inning led by a two-run home run by first baseman Stephen Krause. It was the first home run hit by the Bombers this season. The offense added a run in the second to take a 5-2 lead early.

Dunkelberger lasted just one inning as the Growlers used six different pitchers.

Hayden Burg recorded the five out save for Kalamazoo in his season debut. Burg came into the game with one out in the top of the eighth and got Krause to ground into a double play to end the frame.

The Growlers were able to take advantage of inconsistency by the Bombers pitchers. Caleb Smith walked four in 2.1 innings of work. The Bombers used five different pitchers in the game and walked nine Growlers hitters as well as giving up 10 hits.

The walks hurt the Bombers in the sixth. Payton Carney entered the ballgame in relief of Isaac van Dyke with a 8-6 lead. The righty surrendered four walks before being removed due to a finger injury. The four walks set up the game deciding double by Catalano which came off Brayden Lloyd.

The Bombers split the home-and-home with the Growlers and fall to 1-5 on the season.

The Bombers will return home tomorrow to start a four game road trip starting with a two-game series with the Rockford Rivets. First pitch tomorrow is set for 1:35 p.m.