KOKOMO, Ind. – The Jackrabbits took advantage of two eighth inning Kingfish errors on Friday night to go ahead 4-3 and secure their first win as members of the Northwoods League.
RHP Kyle Gendron (Winona State) got the start, taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning. He finished with five and two-thirds innings pitched giving up two hits, two earned runs with two strikeouts and two walks.
In the first inning the Kingfish started the scoring with an RBI double into left field by LF Charles Middleton (Sierra College). Middleton’s double was his second of the season, and it drove in 2B Ethan Owens (Drury). Owens reached base on a leadoff single and stole second to get into scoring position.
Kokomo struggled to get a hit through the first three innings, and only had one base runner through the first two frames.
The Kingfish infield continued to flash the leather well against the Jackrabbits into game two of the series. Owens ended the third inning after running 20-feet to his left to make a spinning throw to first base.
In the top of the third inning the Kingfish threatened to score after back-to-back singles by Owens and SS Mitchell Buban (UW – Milwaukee), but Kokomo’s LHP Trevor Nicholson (Eastern Illinois) settled down and retired the side.
Kenosha tallied one more run in the top of the fourth inning. CF Joey Scaffidi (UW – Milwaukee) doubled to lead off the frame for the Kingfish. DH Brian Vance then singled putting Scaffidi at third base. But Scaffidi did not need a batter at the plate to score.
Two batters later with Owens batting and two outs, Vance took off for second base. The Jackrabbits caught Vance in a rundown, and Scaffidi scored from third base. On his way to second, Vance slipped on the artificial turf at Kokomo Municipal Stadium and evaded the tag. The Kingfish ended the frame with a manufactured run for their second score of the game.
C Drew Dyer (Chicago State) picked up his first hit as a Kingfish in the top of the sixth inning. Vance drew a leadoff walk in the inning and stood at third base. Dyer singled through a hole between second and third base. The Kingfish led 3-0 at the end of the five and a half innings.
Kokomo broke a nine inning scoreless streak with three hits and two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.
RHP Keith Kutzler (UW – Whitewater) came out of the bullpen in the sixth inning and shut the door keeping the score 3-2 in favor of the Kingfish.
The Kingfish wrap up their first road trip of the season and will be at home tomorrow night against the Kalamazoo Growlers for a four game home stand. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CST.
