Wisconsin Rapids, Wis — The Kalamazoo Growlers' eight-game losing streak is over. A full team effort helped the Growlers beat the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters 14-2 on Tuesday night at Witter Field.
A pair of strong pitching performances from Growlers lefties baffled the Rafters' hitters all evening. Dillon Haviland (Duke) picked up his second win, going seven strong innings, striking out five and only allwing one run. Joshua Buchalski (Michigan State) came on for two strong innings of relief, striking out one and sealing the Growlers' big win.
The entire Growlers order came alive at the plate as they plated 14 runs on 14 hits while receiving a boost from four Rafters errors. Nick Yarnall (Pittsburgh) and Jared Kujawa (Western Michigan) both hit home runs for the Growlers. Jalen Phillips (Duke University) and Ryan Lidge (Notre Dame) each had three-hit games and three RBIs between them.
The Growlers will complete their four-game road trip Wednesday night in Wisconsin Rapids as they face off against the Rafters in the second game of the two-game series. First pitch tomorrow night is scheduled for 8:05 E.S.T.
The Kalamazoo Growlers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods 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 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit http://www.growlersbaseball.com.