KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kenosha Kingfish were able to outlast the Kalamazoo Growlers 3-2 in a game that featured great pitching from both sides. Kalamazoo starter JR Holloway pitched 6 innings of 1 hit, 1 run ball while Kenosha's starter Matt Boyer threw 5.1 innings of one run baseball, not allowing a hit until the 4th. Kingfish reliever Justin Hasek pitched 2.1 innings with 4 strikeouts, largely shutting down the Growlers attempt at a comeback. 

The Growlers got the scoring underway in the first inning when left fielder Matt Koehler grounded out to bring in second baseman Michael Diffley. The Kingfish tied the game in the 6th, when catcher Jesse Wilkening hit a sac fly to bring in center fielder Connor Doyle. The Growlers had a great chance to pull away in the home half of the 6th when they had the bases loaded with one out. All three runners were stranded after a Kaleb Murphy strikeout and a popout by pinch hitter Jason Sullivan.

The Kingfish took their chance to take the lead in the 7th. Zach Vitkuske substituted for Holloway and the first batter he faced reached on an error by first baseman Mitch Bigras. Third baseman Tim Millard laced a ball to left that just got over the head of Jack Duffy, scoring left fielder Coll Stanley. After Millard advanced to third, he scored on shortstop Ben Troike's single to make the game 3-1. 

The Growlers answered in the bottom half of the inning. Third baseman Ivan Estrella came to the plate with two runners on first and second. When Estrella singled through the 5.5 hole, a run came in to score, making it 3-2. However, Connor Hollis was caught up at 3rd base, ending the inning. Billy McKay came on for the save for Kenosha and the game ended 3-2. 

The Growlers and Kingfish will play again Wednesday, weather permitting, at 7:05 p.m. Stay tuned to the Growlers' social media for updates on any possible delays as there is rain in the forecast. 

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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, 180 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.