By Nick Winstead
Kalamazoo, Mich.—The Battle Creek Bombers rolled into Kalamazoo fresh off of their second ever win over the Growlers and tried to sweep the new rivals, something they accomplished handily.
It was Collin Orellana (San Diego State) on the mound for the Bombers, his last start in Rochester was an absolute gem and he built on that momentum against the Growlers.
Collin gave up a run in his first frame of work to tie the game at one but got into a groove cruised for 8 strong innings on the mound.
“It’s all about command and mental preparation when you’re out there on the mound” commented Orellana in the locker room following the game.
The Bombers were held in check at the plate for the most part—Anthony Cheky (Michigan State) had 3 SB in his first two times up—until Laz Rivera (Univ. of Miami) hit his first home-run of the year. That put the Bombers up 2-1 on the Growlers.
The 6th inning saw the game dramatically change in favor of the Bombers. The Bombsquad struck for six runs blowing the game wide open. A string of walks, sharp singles, a Growlers miscue or two, and good base running gave the Bombers the big inning they have been looking for against the Growlers.
The Growlers, like in game one of the double-header, made things interesting in the 9th inning against a brand new Bomber Craig Conway (Albion College). Conway came in and loaded the bases and gave up a run to make it 8-2.
Matt Rhodes (Hardin-Simmons) came into the game with the bases loaded in the 9th and got a pop out and a soft line out to end the game 8-4, the Bombers first win in Kalamazoo.
Before today the Bombers were just 1-5 against the Growlers but the double header was just what the Bombers needed to get the better of their new rivals.
Coach Bill Murphy warned the Growlers that the Bombers were coming but they obviously did not heed his warning. The Bombers are now winners of five straight games and looking to make a late push into the playoffs.
The Bombers will take on the LaCrosse Loggers today, 7:05 first pitch.
