Bangert’s Bomb Powers Kingfish To Win In Home Opener

Kingfish notch first win of the season

Kenosha, Wis. – The Kenosha Kingfish (1-2) defeated the Green Bay Bullfrogs (1-2), 9-6, on Opening Night at Historic Simmons Field. On a night that saw both lineups take advantage of some wild pitching and use walks to fuel some big innings, it was a swing of the bat on Kenosha’s side that proved to be the decisive moment of the game.

After fouling off a pair of tough two-strike pitches, first baseman Derek Bangert (Bradley) finally got a pitch he liked. He crushed a monster 3-run home run to left field that sailed high over the Bambino. The blast came as part of the third inning in which the Kingfish ultimately sent 12 batters to the plate.

Three Kingfish hitters walked to start the inning before designated hitter Tyler Paulsen (Illinois State) singled home the first two runs of the game for Kenosha, all before the first out was recorded. Two batters later, Bangert launched the home run that plated three of the four runs in the inning, a frame that tripled the total number of runs the Kingfish scored over their first two games of the season combined.

Left-hander Davis Schwab (Johnson CC) earned the win for Kenosha, pitching five solid innings and allowing two runs, one earned, on four hits and four walks while striking out five.

The Bullfrogs never evened things up after the Kingfish third inning rally, but they made things interesting. Down 8-2 entering the sixth inning, Green Bay worked a total of six walks against relievers Justin Hasek (Galveston CC) and Christian Bokich (Lee University), plating four runs to creep back into things.

Fortunately for Kenosha, sidewinding right-hander Billy McKay (Florida) was nails the rest of the way, pitching three scoreless frames with just one hit allowed and three strikeouts to earn the save.

The top of the Kingfish batting order was excellent at setting the table all night long, with the 1-3 hitters walking a combined seven times and scoring four runs. Bangert finished the evening 2-for-4 at the plate with a walk of his own, while shortstop Ben Troike (Illinois) went 1-for-4 with a run driven in.

The Kingfish will look to even their record if they can earn the win Friday, when they take on Green Bay at Historic Simmons Field at 7:05 pm. Gates open at 6:00 pm for the Platinum Systems Streaking Elvis bobblehead giveaway.