FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kalamazoo, Mich. – On June 19, Kalamazoo Growlers left-handed pitcher Ryan Kraft was named the Northwoods League pitcher of the night.

Kraft, in his second outing of the season, was lights out against the Kenosha Kingfish. The southpaw struck out a Growlers franchise record 14 batters across six scoreless innings just giving up three hits without walking a batter. 

Facing just 21 batters, Kraft struck out the side three separate times propelling the Growlers to a team-record 20 total strikeouts in a 1-0 win in game one of the doubleheader.

With the accolade, the Growlers have now won the Northwoods League Pitcher of the Night award three separate times, tied for the most of any franchise in the league. This is the 10th time K-Zoo has won the award since the start of last season, the most of any franchise.

The Kalamazoo Growlers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Entering its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 26 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, over 350 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, 2021 and 2023 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and two-time All-MLB first-team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. 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.