Kenosha, Wis. – The Kingfish continued their hot start to the second half of the season Thursday night, sweeping the St. Cloud Rox 7-3. The Kingfish (2-0, 18-16) next travel to Wisconsin Rapids to face the Rafters with the goal of increasing the winning streak to 3.
Kingfish starting pitcher J.D Nielsen pitched a gem tonight. He once retired 13 straight, giving up one hit and striking out six in seven innings of work. The Rox were kept off balance all evening by the lefty’s ability to change speeds and deliver first pitch strikes. Reliever Garrett McKenzie kept things rolling in the final two frames, allowing no hits or runs to St. Cloud batters.
Kingfish got two runs right away in the second inning, followed by four more in the third. The dynamic trio on the evening was first baseman Zach Jones (2-4, 2 H, 2 R, 3 RBI), designated hitter Steven Sensley (2-3, 2 H, R, 2 RBI) and shortstop Kyle Brooks (2-4, 2 H, RBI). The six, seventh and eight hitters totaled all six RBI altogether. The Rox pitching staff struggled once again tonight as righty Nick McCarty couldn’t trip up the Kingfish. King Elvis’ crew tallied an additional run in the fifth to reach their total of seven on the night.
As a result of tonight’s victory Kingfish General Manager Jake McGhee will once again slumber on the Bambino. The Bambino is a 43’ x 13’ wooden fishing boat built into Simmons Field’s left field wall. McGhee guaranteed a win from his squad two nights ago, promising to stay there until the winning streak ceased. The stakes rose earlier today when outfielder Buddy Reed vowed to take McGhee’s spot on the Bambino if the Kingfish were to fall tonight. Luckily for Reed, his teammates had his back and came out on top.
The Kingfish are on the road for July 4th and return on Sunday, July 6th for a double header against the Wisconsin Woodchucks. The affair features “Bark in the Park” night and performance by Whiplash the Cowboy Riding Monkey. For more information regarding the doubleheader, visit kingfishbaseball.com
The Kingfish office is located at 7817 Sheridan Road and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. For more information on 7-game packs, season or group tickets, please log on to kingfishbaseball.com or call 262.653.0900.
