KOKOMO, IN., — Battle Creek won the first three on the road but dropped the last three to end it. The finale of the six game road trip being a 7-1 loss to the Jackrabbits of Kokomo.

7-1 doesn’t quite tell the story of the game though. Kokomo took an early lead as their lead off man scored for the second night in a row. Gavin Grant singled and advanced on an E6 to second. Then, the hit and run was put on and Chase Meidroth drove him in on a ground ball in the infield to make it 1-0.

Battle Creek would tie it in the next half inning as Miguel Larreal singled and Heath Hood tripled him home to tie the game.

That would be the only scoring through seven innings. Beaux Bonvillain got the start for Battle Creek and only gave up one run through five innings. The run was unearned and he struck out seven along the way. Kokomo starter Connor Linchey also pitched well. One run through seven innings and struck out three for the Jackrabbits.

The game was looking like it may be the first extra inning game for the Bombers. In the top of the eighth, Battle Creek walked the bases loaded all with two outs, but Hood hit a missile of a line drive right at the second baseman to end it.

The bottom of the eighth was the dagger. Justin King took the mound after Davis Burgin pitched two scoreless innings. King struck one out then gave up two walks. Then, a strike out swinging to TJ Fondtain with both runners going and Fondtain’s bat hit Bombers catcher Sy Snedeker in the head. Instead of batters interference and the final out of the inning being called, the runners went back to their bases and the inning continued. Kokomo then walked and hit four straight singles to score six runs and make it 7-1.

The Bombers stranded two runners in the ninth and lost the ball game. They now sit at 12-20 on the year and welcome the Jackrabbits for the final two games of the first half. Game one is Sunday with first pitch at 1:35 PM.

By Josh Baker