ROYAL OAK, Mich. — The Kalamazoo Growlers (36-36, 15-21) rode strong pitching to a 5-3 win over the Royal Oak Leprechauns (43-29, 24-12) Saturday night.

Kalamazoo struck in the first inning, with DeMir Heidelberg driving in two runs with a double. In the bottom of the first, Royal Oak scored as well, with the Growlers leading 2-1 after one frame.

A Chase Thomas leadoff home run and a Brock Sell RBI single gave the Growlers a 4-1 lead.

With two outs in the fifth inning, the Leprechauns scored the final run of the day against Bryce Brannon, who ended his day with five innings of two-run baseball.

A bases-loaded walk in the sixth inning gave the Growlers insurance, before an eighth-inning passed ball gave the Leprechauns the run back.

Ultimately, Preston Cosby earned the save, throwing a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth en route to the 5-3 final.

The Growlers drew 12 walks, taking their season total to 543, a Northwoods League record. Additionally, the win moved Kalamazoo to 36-36 on the season, clinching a .500+ record for the fifth consecutive season.

Saturday’s game marked the 72nd game played by Kalamazoo in 76 days, and the conclusion of the 2026 season.