Kalamazoo, Mich. – For the fourth time in franchise history and second-consecutive year, the Kalamazoo Growlers are headed to the Northwoods League playoffs. In a 5-1 victory over the Battle Creek Battle Jacks Thursday evening, Kalamazoo clinched their first-ever second-half division championship punching a ticket to the Great Lakes East Subdivisional Championship Series. The Growlers 25th win of the second half also broke the franchise record for wins in a half while extending the record for wins in a season at 46. K-Zoo currently holds the second-best record in the Northwoods League at 46-22 only behind the Wilmar Stingers at 49-16 and will hold home-field advantage across at least the first two rounds of the playoffs.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

– The Growlers continued their strangle-hold on the I-94 Rivalry Cup, winning their eighth straight game against Battle Creek on Thursday night and clinching a second-half Great Lakes East title. 

– For a second straight night, the Growlers poured it on early. After two walks and a hit by pitch loaded the bases to start off the inning, Anthony Stephan extended his now 12-game hit streak and 22-game on-base streak with an two-RBI single into right. Kalamazoo would add on one more on an RBI fielder’s choice from Korbin Griffin.

– The offensive dominance rolled over into the second inning as Myles Beale launched an RBI double into the right field corner before coming home to score on a wild pitch.

– The early offense would be all the Growlers would need as Jerad Berkenpas would have a career night on the mound. In a summer-league career-high seven innings, Berkenpas struck out six while only walking one.

– Jake Carroll and Aaron Robertson would come on in the eighth and ninth and the Growlers would close it out, clinching the franchises second consecutive berth into the playoffs and fourth in the teams ten-year history.