Green Bay drops the first of its two-game set with Battle Creek 2-1 in 10 innings.
Ashwaubenon, Wis. – In a game that was all about the defense, the Rockers were outlasted by the Battle Jacks 2-1 in extra innings tonight.
The first of the three combined scores came from a solo-home run off the bat of Battle Creek’s Cayden Wotipka (Lower Columbia). The infielder hit the dinger off Rockers starter Lleyton Grubich (Mchenry CC) — and that would be the only success the Jacks had against Green Bay’s lefty.
Grubich, who opened the season with 12 punch outs against the Wausau Woodchucks, nearly eclipsed that impressive mark with his 11 tonight. The southpaw tossed five innings, only giving up two hits and two walks. Grubich now leads Green Bay with his 28 strikeouts on the summer.
After the Rockers ace was subbed out, shortstop Cooper Kelly (Oral Roberts) leveled the score with a solo-shot of his own. That was the first blast of the campaign for Kelly, after he had six with Green Bay in 2023.
So, with the game even at one, reliever Connor Nolen (Carroll) picked up where his starter Grubich left off. The right-handed pitcher only gave up one hit across three innings out of the bullpen. In his stint, Nolen also set a season-high with five strikeouts.
The last of three pitchers to see the field for Green Bay was Michael Riley (Grand Valley State). Riley only gave up one hit in his two innings, striking out a pair of Jacks along the way.
However, an error helped Battle Creek tack on a run in the top of the tenth, and the Rockers couldn’t come back.
These two teams square off once again tomorrow at 3:05 p.m. at Capital Credit Union Park. The Rockers now sit at 10-14 while the Battle Jacks are 14-11.
Tomorrow’s tilt also marks another Summer Grilling Series giveaway presented by Bud Light. So if fans didn’t get their hands on a Rockers oven mitt earlier this month, they can come to the park tomorrow for a Rockers apron.
Another great reason for fans to show up early is the pre-game concert, which will feature BoomBoxx performing from the time gates open at 2:00 p.m. through the end of the third inning.
Single game 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. Entering its 31st 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.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.