KALAMAZOO, MI – The Battle Creek Bombers take game six of the OnStaff Group I-94 Rivalry series at Homer Stryker Field, winning 8-6. Five errors resulting in three unearned runs for the Bombers hindered the Growlers from completing a comeback win.
The Bombers were the first on the board, scoring two, after back-to-back doubles combined with a Kalamazoo error in the second inning. The Growlers struck back when Jason Sullivan and Sam Hall drew back-to-back walks with the bases loaded to tie it up at two. The final run of the inning came on a Brendan Rivoli RBI fielder’s choice.
Battle Creek tied the game up on another Kalamazoo error allowing an unearned run.
In the fourth, the Bombers regained the lead with two runs on a couple of hits and another Growler error. George Mendazona hit a solo home run to cut the lead to one and a few batters later, Rivoli scored on a Sam Crail bases-loaded walk.
The Bombers broke the tie in the fifth with a solo home run from Michael Brown followed by a two-run homerun from Roman Trujillo.
The Growlers failed to complete their rally, scoring one run in the final inning. Moving the Bombers to 19-0 on the year when leading after the eighth inning.
Adam Wheaton started on the hill for the Growlers going four innings, gave up five runs with only two earned. Dakota Roberts came in at relief and after giving up two home runs, was ejected bringing on Austin Laurencig. Laurencig pitched the remainder of the game throwing four scoreless innings.
Noah Reed got the save for the Bombers in the ninth only allowing the one run on a wild pitch and an error.
The Growlers look to bounce back at home tomorrow against the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders with Tommy Sommer making the start for Kalamazoo.
###
The Kalamazoo Growlers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Entering its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods 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, 190 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR). 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.