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By Sebastian Alsing | June 27th, 2026
Kenosha, WI — The Battle Jacks closed out their two-game set in Kenosha Saturday night, in a decisive loss to the Kingfish that was highlighted by an eight-run seventh inning.
The Battle Jacks got off to a hot start in the first inning, when AJ Lucas secured a double to drive in two runs and take an early lead. After a scoreless bottom of the first for Kenosha, the Jacks were right back on it in the second inning – Owen Larrigan got on base, and Payton Bookwalter doubled him home. Battle Creek led 3-0 after two.
A suspenseful third inning ensued when the Kingfish got bases loaded with two outs. Conner Williar was able to escape though, striking out third-baseman Dawson Downs to close out the inning.
The Battle Jacks tacked on another run in the fourth, with Owen Larrigan again scoring off of the third hit of the day for Payton Bookwalter. It was 4-0 entering the fifth.
Kenosha was able to cut their deficit when Brendan Fritch drove in a run with a single and Noah Brandt was walked to drive in another. Kenosha would drive in another on a Cole Ide fielder’s choice, followed by a fielding error from Brendan Thompson that tied the game at 4 runs a piece.
Thomas Cooper would push a run through in the sixth to reclaim a 5-4 lead for Battle Creek – but the seventh inning proved to be eventful for the Kingfish when their hitters faced Jared Rodriguez on the mound. Two home runs off the bats of Dawson Downs and Noah Brandt took a 7-5 Kenosha lead, then RBIs from J.R. Nelson, Owen Nowak, Brian Gould, and eventually Dawson Downs again would extend it to a powerful 11-5 advantage. A Brendan Fritch single scored Brian Gould, and the Kingfish exited the inning up 12-5.
The Battle Jacks entered the final frame down seven runs. They wouldn’t push any more through, and the Kingfish would take the win.
The Jacks ended the day with 11 hits and an error in the loss. The winning pitcher was Henry Johnson, who pitched 3 scoreless innings for the Kingfish and only surrendered a single hit.
Battle Creek will be back in Royal Oak Sunday, at 4:05 P.M. ET to take on the Leprechauns.
