KENOSHA, WI- The Bombers dropped the series opener with the Kenosha Kingfish 9-5.

The loss was the Bombers first on their four-game road trip and it puts an end to their four-game winning streak.

Control issues for Bombers pitchers hindered the Bombers in the ballgame. Battle Creek used three different pitchers and they combined to walk 10 batters as well as hitting six.

The Kingfish scored four runs off Bombers starter David Williams. The righty walked four and let up four runs on three hits in two innings of work.

A walk to Kenosha’s Josh Leslie in the second inning was followed by back to back singles to load the bases. That loaded the bases for the leading hitter in the Northwoods League Kirk Liebert who drove home the eventual game winning run with a sacrifice fly to make it 3-2. A wild pitch would add on another run in the inning.

The Bombers scored two runs in the first inning to open the game. It was the fourth time in the last five games the Bombers have scored the first run of the contest. Ben Fitzgerald opened the scoring with an RBI triple down the right field line, scoring Miguel Larreal. Fitzgerald would come home as Mason Sykes reached on an error making it 2-0 Bombers before the Kingfish could come to bat.

But when Kenosha came to bat in the bottom half of the frame they quickly tied the game at two as Williams issued three of his four walks in the inning. One of the walks scored a run and then a wild pitch brought a run home to tie the game at two.

The Kingfish broke the game open in the sixth off reliever Nolan Lamere giving up two hits in the inning including a two-run double by Justin Janas to make it 8-2.

The Bombers, who have shown resiliency on their road trip tried to fight back in the eighth as they scored three runs off reliever Jared Thompson. An RBI walk by Heath Hood and a two-run single by Stephen Krause cut the deficit to three. But Sy Snedeker struck out with two runners on and two outs to end the eighth.

The Bombers had issues hitting off Kenosha starter Brock Weirather who went seven innings giving up two runs on six hits, striking out two on just 84 pitchers.

The Kingfish now take sole possession of second place in the standings. The two teams will meet tomorrow at 1:05 pm CT as the Bombers look to take three of four on their four-game road trip.

 

Written by Harris Eisenberg