Green Bay splits series with Kalamazoo as part of five-game home stand
Ashwaubenon, Wis.- The Green Bay Rockers took down the Kalamazoo Growlers 10-8 Saturday night at Capital Credit Union Park, splitting the two-game series with the Growlers and giving them their second win in the second half of the 2022 season.
The Rockers now improve to 2-2 through the first four games of the second half while Kalamazoo now drops to 2-2 following tonight’s contest.
Will Semb started strong on the mound for Green Bay, striking out the last two batters of the top of the first, keeping the Growlers off the board through the first half inning of play.
Green Bay struck first in the bottom half of the first, scoring two runs off an error and an RBI groundout by Griffin Stevens, and therefore taking a 2-0 lead through the first inning.
Following a 1-2-3 second inning from Semb on the mound, the Rockers erupted for five runs in the bottom of the second, capped off by a three-run home run by Brendan Ryan, as the Rockers led 7-0 through the first two innings of play.
Stevens also added his second RBI in as many innings to add to the Rockers scoring in the bottom of the second.
Semb retired the Growlers in order in the third, adding two more strikeouts and keeping his team out in front 7-0 going into the fourth.
Each team scored one run in the fourth inning, as the score was 8-1 through the first four innings with the Rockers still out in front by seven runs and in control.
The Growlers scored two runs in the top of the fifth, but left the bases loaded after Semb retired the last two batters of the inning to keep it an 8-3 game heading into the sixth.
Semb retired the last batter he faced in the sixth despite runners being on second and first, pitching a scoreless sixth inning, and giving his offense more momentum going into the bottom of the sixth.
Green Bay responded with two runs in the bottom of the sixth courtesy of a wild pitch and an RBI double from Owen Jackson, taking a 10-3 lead through six innings at Capital Credit Union Park.
Kalamazoo scored four runs in the top of the seventh to make it a 10-7 game, but Rashad Ruff prevented further damage as he struck out the side to keep the Rockers out in front by three runs going into the eighth.
Ruff pitched a clean 1-2-3 eighth inning and then headed back out for the top of the ninth, with the score remaining 10-7 in favor of the Rockers.
Despite a late home run by Kalamazoo, Ruff retired the last three he faced, giving the Rockers the home victory with the final score being 10-8.
Green Bay will now look to a two-game series with the Rockford Rivets starting on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. from Capital Credit Union Park with the pregame concert performed the Breakfast Club starting at 12:05 p.m.
The first 500 fans at Sunday’s game will be able to have the opportunity to claim an inflatable guitar presented by John’s Refrigeration. Following the game, fans will able to play catch on the field courtesy of Capital Credit Union.
Single game and group tickets are on sale now. Visit www.greenbayrockers.com or call the ticket office at 920-497-7225 to reserve your seats today. The Rockers front office and Team Apparel Fan Shop at Capital Credit Union Park are located at 2231 Holmgren Way in Ashwaubenon. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm.
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The Green Bay Rockers 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. Having completed its’ 28th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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 280 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 (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com. For more information, visit www.greenbayrockers.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.