Tyler Bright
ROCKFORD, IL – The Battle Creek Battle Jacks ( 2-3) bounced back against the (3-2) Rockford Rivets in an impressive showing of offensive
Battle Creek’s hitting coach Colton Kelly held a meeting with the hitters to make sure that everyone was on the same page. This appeared to be a stroke of good fortune as the Battle Jacks could get on the board in the top of the second with Elijah Henning (Central Michigan University) with the RBI double to drive in Alex Fernandes (University of Memphis). Sam Griffith (Oakland University) joined in on the action with a one-run single to give the Battle Jacks a 2-0 lead.
Noah Sample dominated early on in the game with three straight three-up three-downs.
While Seeman was finding the zone well with four strikeouts, it wasn’t enough for the Rivets to keep the Battle Jacks from crossing home plate.
Fernandes turned on the jets with two stolen bases and a wild pitch from Rivet’s pitcher Ryan Hussey (Xavier University) bringing in another run in the top of the fifth inning.
Sample was dealing as the Rivets were hitless until the the bottom of the fifth and finished with eight strikeouts on the day.
Rockford’s Scott Newman (Parkland College) blasted a triple and a sacrifice fly-out from Jack Zebig (Maryville University) to bring in Newman for the Rivets first run.
A double-double happened at the start of the seventh when Daniel Pruitt (Eastern New Mexico University) and Spencer Verburg (Central Michigan University) drove Pruitt in on the double. A miscue in the infield from Rockford started the offensive firepower again as the Battle Jacks scored four runs to make it 8-1.
The offense continues with Henning diving in a 2-run RBI double to make it 10-1.
Fernandes had a fantastic under-the-basket grab to prevent the extra-base hit in the bottom of the eighth.
To cap off the night, Hamlin drove in an RBI single bringing in Fernandes for an 11-1 victory.
Micheal Addari (Michigan State University) had a solid night on the bump for his birthday with Connor Foley (Davenport University) getting the save on the night.
The Battle Jacks get back to .500 and we will continue their way on the road to face off against the Kenosha Kingfish at Historic Simmons Field, as the Rivets.
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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. Entering its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 26 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 350 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 (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, 2021 and 2023 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. 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 the Rockers as your favorite team.
