By Sedric Granger

Rockford, IL – The Rockford Rivets defeated the Battle Creek Battle Jacks, 6-1, behind a combined 15-strikeout performance from both Brett Sears (Nebraska) and Nick Vollmert (Southern Wesleyan University).

With the aid of solid pitching, Rockford amassed the run support that they needed to win, scoring at least one run in the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th innings. Even though the Battle Jacks struggled with giving up the big inning over the last few games, Battle Creek’s Achilles heel in this game was both yielding a barrage of singles (12 in total) and giving up multiple one-run and two-run innings. 

In addition, the Battle Jacks offense struggled overall, registering just a single run on five hits. Road games have been a struggle for the Battle Jacks so far as they have averaged just slightly above three runs on the road compared to eight runs at home. 

In the midst of the cold streak, Battle Creek first baseman Dave Alleva (West Chester University) provided a big moment for Battle Creek when he scorched a solo home run to right field in the second inning.

“I have been swinging through fast balls the first couple games. I worked to try to simplify things,” said Alleva analytically. “The pitcher doubled me up on the fast ball. The second pitch was right down the middle and a little bit inside. I did not miss it. I hope to recreate that feeling more.” 

After making his trot around the bases, Alleva was mobbed by his teammates with high fives in a very high energy moment for the Battle Jacks. 

Even though Battle Creek (1-4) has dropped four straight games, Alleva expressed some optimism about the Battle Jacks’ opportunity to end their road trip off with a win.

“It was a lot of fun hitting that home run,” said Alleva after the game. “Hopefully, as a team, we can recreate that feeling more, put up runs, and get back into the win column tomorrow against Rockford.”

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The Battle Creek Battle Jacks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 27th 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 250 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB Gold Glove finalist and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.battlejacksbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set Battle Creek as your favorite team.