The Kalamazoo Growlers extended their winning streak to four games with a 12-5 win over the Green Bay Bullfrogs on Thursday from Joannes Stadium, thanks in part to a six-run second inning.
Kalamazoo sent 13 batters to the plate and faced three different Bullfrog pitchers in the second inning as the Growlers got out to the early 6-0 lead in Green Bay and never looked back.
In the six-run second inning, the Growlers recorded just three hits. Dan Robinson (Central Michigan), Connor Kopach (Southern Illinois) and Nick Hutchins all picked up an RBI in the frame.
Robinson went 1-for-3 with two RBI and two walks to extend his hitting streak to eight games. Sam Griggs (Southern Indiana) also extended his own hitting streak to six games after going 3-for-5 with with two runs scored. Four Growlers also recorded multiple hits in the eight-run thrashing of Green Bay.
Kalamazoo's largest lead at one point was 10 runs, but the Bullfrogs chipped away in the final few innings to tack on five runs.
Tanner Andrews (Purdue) received some major run support early on and cruised from there on out. Andrews was credited with his first victory of the season after allowing one run off five hits while striking out five as well. Matt Ianni (Northern Kentucky), Jeff Kross (San Diego State) and Jordan Gonzalez (Pacific) pitched in relief for the Growlers, who have now won five of their past six games.
The Growlers (6-4) return to Kalamazoo for the weekend to take on the Wisconsin Woodchucks. BJ Butler (Ball State) is scheduled to start on Friday against the Woodchucks for his second start fo the season. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
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