KALAMAZOO, MI – The Growlers drop a game to the Madison Mallards 7-4 despite a bottom of the ninth rally.

With thirteen runners left on base, the Growlers just could not string the hits together until the bottom of the ninth when Kalamazoo scored three runs to make a run at the Mallards lead. Starting pitcher Adam Wheaton from Trine University got the start on the mound for the Growlers going 5.2 innings and allowing four runs on eight hits.

The Mallards jumped on the Growlers in the third inning going up 2 – 0. In that same inning the Growlers had bases loaded but could not capitalize on those runners and they were all left on base. The next inning the Growlers cut the lead in half with a Donovan Clark double down the left field line.

Madison extended their lead in the top of the sixth inning to 4 – 1 and they never looked back. Dakota Roberts from Northwood University came in for relief in the top of the sixth with one out. Madison then scored five unanswered runs to head into the ninth inning up 7 – 1.

Kalamazoo made a dramatic come back in the bottom of the ninth starting with a base hit to center field from Parker Murdie. Donovan Clark followed him with a walk to put two runners on base with no outs. Jason Sullivan had a SAC fly to make the score 7 – 2 and start the Growler’s comeback. Niko Kavadas followed with a hit of his own to put runners on the corners. Baron Radcliffe hit an RBI single to left center field again chipping away at the Mallards’ lead. Jarod Miller then reached on a bunt to third base to load the bases.

Being patient at the plate, Zach Daniels reached first on a four pitch walk to score another run for the Growlers. Bases were still loaded with two outs in the bottom of the ninth when Madison decided to bring in Jonah Smith for relief. Kalamazoo decided to make a change of their own with pinch hitter Anthony Cocco. That’s when the Growlers rally ended. Cocco hit a grounder deep behind second base but Mallards’ shortstop Kueber made an incredible play to get Cocco out at first ending the game.

The Growlers are back in action tomorrow morning at 11:05 am to take on the Mallards one more time this week.

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The Kalamazoo Growlers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Now in its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 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, more than 190 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR).  All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.kalamazoogrowlers.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Growlers as your favorite team.