KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Growlers managed to lose another game as fell to the Lakeshore Chinooks, 10-6. The Growlers’ bullpen seemed to have things under control as Zach Vitkuske threw 2.1 scoreless innings with 2 strikeouts, however, after the first out of the 8^th inning the bullpen unraveled. In 0.2 innings, the Growlers’ staff gave up 8 runs, 6 hits, and 3 walks. The tandem of Bryce Welborn and Beau Ridgeway gave up a combined 6 runs without getting an out. The most crushing blow dealt to the Growlers’ during the Woodchucks’ rally was back to back 2 RBI doubles by Tristian Clark, and Stevie Mangrum off of Beau Ridgeway. Luke Schaefer came in to help the Growlers escape the 8^th inning. Schaefer pitched well in mop up duty throwing 1.2 innings giving up only one hit.

Tyler Drabick, Kalamazoo’s starting pitcher in today’s game, finished the game throwing 5 innings while only giving up 2 runs. Drabick did not look like he had his stuff early in the ballgame as he gave up a homerun to Stevie Mangrum in the 1^st innings, and allowing the bases to become loaded with only 1 out in the 2^nd inning. Drabick was able to get the next 2 outs of the 2^nd inning, and pitched extremely effectively after this point only giving up unearned run in 3 innings of work. Drabick left the game in line for the victory as the Growlers were ahead 5-2. The starting pitcher for Wisconsin was Payton Coffman who pitched 4.0 innings giving up 3 earned runs with 2 strikeouts. The difference in the ballgame was the bullpens, the Woodchucks’ bullpen just did not make as many mistakes as Kalamazoo’s bullpen. Wisconsin’s bullpen gave up 2 earned runs in 5 innings of work compared to the Growlers’ 8 runs in 4 innings of work.

The standout player of the game was Stevie Mangrum who 3 for 6 with a homerun, a double, and 2 RBIs for the Woodchucks today. Mangrum currently has 12 homeruns on the year which leads the Northwoods League, and he has been main cog in the Woodchucks unstoppable power hitting offense that also leads all Northwoods League teams in homeruns and RBIs. For the Growlers, Andrew Huff went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs, and his single in the bottom of the 4^th helped get the Growlers on the board in today’s game.

Tomorrow marks another home game for the Growlers at 7:05 PM. Kalamazoo will take on the Lakeshore Chinooks for Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial's Make a Difference Monday with half of all walk-up ticket proceeds benefitting Touchdown for Diabetes.

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The Kalamazoo Growlers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The 23-year-old summer collegiate 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 170 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including two-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champion Ben Zobrist (CHC) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM) and Lucas Duda (NYM).  All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.growlersbaseball.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.