KALAMAZOO, MI – The Growlers' bats continued to struggle tonight following the four game road trip as they fell to the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters by a score of 6-3. 

The Rafters got on the board quickly in this one due to a two-run home run in the top of the first inning by Joey Morgan that Demetrius Sims also scored on. Sims also crossed the plate in the third inning for the third run of the game on a Dustin Woodcock ground out. 

This one got out of hand for Kalamazoo in the top of the sixth inning when Ben Fisher sent a 3-1 fastball over the left field wall and extended Wisconsin Rapids' lead to 6-0. Woodcock and Patrick Cromwell also scored on the home run. 

Kalamazoo's bats finally started to come to life in the eighth inning. Camden Duzenack followed up Tre Gantt's leadoff double with a doulbe of his own to bring in the Growlers' first run of the game. David Hensley drew a bases loaded walk later in the frame to bring in Duzenack to cut the deficit to 6-2. 

The Growlers threatened again with runners in the ninth inning, which started with Gantt getting on with one out on an error by Luke Petterson. Connor Kopach came through for Kalamazoo with a double to follow up the error and drive Gantt in. The hitting for the Growlers halted once they loaded the bases and the come back bid came up just short. 

Seven newcomers were in the Kalamazoo lineup tonight, as they added over ten new players prior to tonight's contest. 

These two teams will be back in action tomorrow afternoon for Pups and Pops Day at Homer Stryker Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. EDT on Father's Day. Jacob Piechota (WMU) will be making his Growlers debut on the mound. 

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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. The 22-year old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 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 140 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com.