MADISON, WI – The Growlers rolled into The Duck Pond having lost three straight with its most recent defeat coming in Wisconsin Rapids in a 7-5 heartbreaker.

Kzoo would strike early in game one on the doubleheader versus the Madison Mallards. Jack Duffy (Missouri State) came through with a two out RBI single to plate Connor Hollis (Houston) of whom reached on a one out single in the top of the first, 1-0 good guys to start the ballgame.

It wouldn’t take long for the ducks to respond. Maverick Handley (Stanford) would lead off the third inning with a single, eventually coming around to score on a Tommy Bullock (UNC Charlotte) one out RBI single – knotted at one a piece after three.

The Growlers would answer the very next half inning. Credit Stephen Dubb (USC) with a one out double to plate Matt Schwarz (Old Dominion) of whom reached on an error to start the fourth inning of work, 2-1 Kalamazoo.

Following a Thomas Smart single with two outs, Maverick Handley would give Madison its first lead on the night with a two-run shot out to left, 3-2 hometown guys.

Matt Schwarz would rack up RBI number one on the 2017 campaign with a one out single to send Jason Sullivan (Central Michigan) around for the visitors, tying the ballgame up at three. Credit Sully with his thirty-ninth run scored on the play. After a pitching substitution for Madison in Jason Ruffcorn (Texas A&M), Anthony Rios (Lewis University) would keep things rolling offensively for Kalamazoo with a one out RBI single plating Matt Schwarz in the process, 4-3 as the Growlers regain the lead.

RBI singles were the name of the game all night long. Jeff Riedel (Ball State) would come through with an RBI single in the top of the sixth to extend the Kzoo lead to two, 5-3.

Growlers would hold on in seven heading into the second of the doubleheader.

Both Jack Duffy and Matt Schwarz went 2 for 4 with an RBI in game one for Kzoo.
 

MADISON, WI– Fresh off breaking a three game losing streak with the 5-3 win in game one of the double header the Growlers were hungry for more.

However Madison would strike first in the bottom of the first on a 2 run homerun to left field from their first baseman Sam Armstrong (Jacksonville), 2-0 Madison.

Kalamazoo would fight back in a big way in the top of the second. The Growlers used 3 Mallards errors and RBI knocks from Ryan Orr (SDSU), and Jason Sullivan (Central Michigan) to score 5 runs and take a 5-2 lead.

In the top of the third Mitch Bigras (Boston College) unloaded on a ball and sent it into the second deck of the Great Dane Duck Blind in right field for a solo homer to make it 6-2 Kzoo.

The Mallards would load the bases in the bottom of the third with nobody out, and reliever George Lamb (UT Rio Grande) entered the game. Lamb would allow 2 runs to score after coming into the bases loaded jam. After 3 it was 6-4 Kzoo, but Lamb would be lights out for the rest of the game pitching 5 strong innings out of the pen to secure a 6-4 Growlers win and a sweep of the double header.

The Growlers will go for the series sweep tomorrow night at 8:05 ET from Warner Park.

 

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