Battle Creek, Mich. – Looking to cap off a four game road trip with a victory, the Kingfish take on the Battle Creek Bombers tonight. Manager Duffy Dyer will send Dillon Mazzoccoli to the hill for the 7:05pm start.
Mazzoccoli, hailing from Blinn College (TX), has been on quite a roll recently for Kenosha. The 6’4,” 180 pounder has failed to allow an earned run during his last seven innings on the mound. This season the right-hander has compiled a 1-0 record and an impressive 2.89 ERA. The 22 year old’s ability to keep power hitters in check all season has been invaluable, having allowed just two extra base hits on the year. In Mazzoccoli’s last appearance, he went five complete and struck out four, permitting just one hit in the process.
Last night the Kingfish were locked in a pitcher’s duel with the Bombers, but fell 2-1 in extra innings. Kenosha arms Rex Morrow, JD Nielsen, and Coley Thompkins kept the Battle Creek lineup guessing all night, combining to strike out nine batters. This was the fourth consecutive strong performance from Morrow, as he has allowed just three earned runs in his last 15 innings on the mound. The struggle for King Elvis’ squad however came at the plate. Bomber starter Jack Waguespack was on his game from the get-go, dealing six shutout innings and allowing just two hits. The biggest threat for the Kingfish came in the seventh inning when C Alex Dunlap knocked in LF Pat Porter from third. The squad would be unable to push anymore runs across.
Tonight the Kingfish offense looks to get back on track at C.O Brown Stadium. Promising to lead that effort is Porter, who has throttled NWL pitching all season. The lefty has compiled a staggering; .333 BA (9th in NWL), 24 R (2nd in NWL), 36 H (T-3rd in NWL), 10 2B (2nd in NWL), 2 3B (T-2nd in NWL), 6 HR (3rd in NWL), and 33 RBI (1st in NWL). Protecting him in the order will be fellow Ohio State Buckeye Zach Ratcliff, who ranks second in the NWL with seven home runs respectively.
The Kingfish, 14-14, sit in fifth place in the South Division. The squad will return to Kenosha on Saturday (6/28) against the Kalamazoo Growlers. They will be welcoming former MLB manager/player Ozzie Guillen to Simmons Field for a fan autograph session and ceremonial first pitch. In addition, fireworks will be presented by Miller Lite after the game. The evening will also feature “Turn Back the Clock Night,” in which the team will wear Kenosha Comets themed uniforms. The following day (Sun, 6/29) the Kingfish will welcome former Chicago Cub and Hall of Fame pitcher Fergie Jenkins to the ballpark, as well as celebrate Public Safety Appreciation Night.
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The Kenosha Kingfish 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 www.kingfishbaseball.com.
