KOKOMO, Ind. – The Kenosha Kingfish (4-5) picked up their second win of the year against the Kokomo Jackrabbits (4-5) on Wednesday night, 7-2.
Kokomo started the scoring with a run in the first inning. Through the bottom of the second, Kokomo led 1-0.
Kokomo’s LHP Owen Callaghan (IU – Kokomo) and RHP Sam Marhefke (Loras College) squared off for the second time in 2019 as opposing starting pitchers.
Marhefke finished with three innings pitched allowing one run on two hits, six walks and two strikeouts.
The Kingfish got to Callaghan in a two out rally in the top of the third inning and tagged him for four hits, three walks and two runs.
The Kingfish struck for three straight hits from RF Zach Nogalski (UW – Milwaukee), 3B Nate Thomas (St. Joseph’s) and C Ryan Knernschield (Eastern Illinois) in the frame.
With Nogalski at third base and Thomas at first, Thomas took off to steal second base. Thomas was caught in a rundown, allowing Nogalski to score. The double steal marked the third time the Kingfish have successfully executed a double steal against the Jackrabbits this season.
DH Matt Padre (Manhattan College) walked after the double steal to load the bases. Then LF Charles Middleton (Sierra College) singled to drive in two runs putting the Kingfish up 4-1.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Jackrabbits DH Ethan Gallagher (UMBC) hit a line drive to right field for a base hit with two runners on. Nogaslki bobbled the ball and it rolled all the way to the wall.
Gallagher came around to score in a little-league style home run, but a few minutes later was called out after Manager Duffy Dyer point out Gallagher’s use of an illegal bat.
Instead of tying the game with three runs in the bottom of the fourth, Gallagher was called out and Kenosha was able to escape the inning and preserve the 4-1 lead.
The Kingfish put up three more runs in the top of the fifth inning extending the lead to 7-1. With one out Kenosha responded with hits from Padre and CF Joey Scaffidi (UW – Milwaukee). Kingfish 1B Austin Pfeifer (UNLV) walked with the bases loaded to drive in a run.
Kokomo struggled with scoring base runners against the Kingfish and left 15 runners on base.
RHP Tanner Fallon (Loras College) had another stellar relief appearance with four shutout innings on two hits and four strikeouts.
RHP Caleb Larson (Illinois) came on to pitch in the bottom of the ninth for the Kingfish.
Larson relieved Fallon and allowed one run. Larson got help from his defense and ended the game on a double play.
The Kingfish continue their four game road trip tomorrow in Kokomo at 7:05 p.m. ET.
