Tyler Bright

ROCKFORD, IL – The Battle Creek Battle Jacks (9-6) were geared up for round two against the Rockford Rivets (10-5) after last night’s game, which resulted in a high-scoring affair with a 12-8 Rivets win.

Tanner Douglas (University of Portland) started on the mound for Battle Creek, while Ryan Hussey (Xavier University) took the mound for Rockford.

The screws got off to a hot start with the Maddox Mihalakis (University of Arizona) RBI triple which was followed by a Nick Barone (West Virginia University) home run out to the right field to give the Rivets the 4-0 lead.

After a miscommunication between Hussey and the Rockford defense put Daniel Pruitt (Eastern New Mexico University) on first base, the Battle Jacks gained some offensive momentum, loading the bases and scoring runs from Mason Hamlin (Texas-Permian Basin) and Cayden Wotipka (Lower Columbia College). Austin Bestul (University of Indianapolis) came in midway through the third inning and threw a wild pitch, allowing Hamlin to cross home plate and tie the game at 4-4.

Jacob Brown (College of Charleston) came into pitch in the bottom of the 3rd inning. The Rivets responded with another home run from Cade Zalewski (Eastern Illinois University).

Bestul locked in and struck out the side in the top of the 4th inning for the Rivets.

Luke Matta (Villanova University) came in for Battle Creek in the bottom of the 4th inning. The Rivets added to their lead with the 2 RBI base hit by Zalewski and an RBI single by Barrone making it 8-4 Rivets.

In the bottom of the 6th inning, the Rivets displayed smart base running when a stolen base by Mihalakis distracted the Battle Jacks, allowing Nick Demarco (Notre Dame) to steal home extending the lead.

BC had a bases-loaded situation in the top of the 8th inning when Pruitt drove in a 2-run RBI double, bringing the Battle Jacks within 3. However, Alex Day (Northern Illinois University) was able to keep the dogs at bay.

Garrett Smith (Montana State Billings)  drove in two runs to make it 9-8,  but Cameron Nohos (University of Illinois-Chicago) closed it out for the Rivets to take the win to remain in first place in the Great Lakes East Division.

The Battle Jacks head back home to MCCU Field for the first game in the I-94 rivalry against the Kalamazoo Growlers.

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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’ 31^st 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.