Kingfish Win In Front Of Record Opening Day Crowd
Historic Simmons Field, WI- The Kenosha Kingfish won their home opener at Historic Simmons Field in come-from-behind fashion 9-7 over the Kalamazoo Growlers.
First baseman Drake Westcott, who finished the night going 2-3 at the plate, put the Kingfish on the board early with a two-run blast over the left field wall in the first inning.
After scoring a run in the third on a Lawson Knight infield single, the Growlers batted around the order and then some to take a 7-2 lead after scoring six runs in the sixth inning.
The Kingfish cut the lead to 7-4 in the bottom of the sixth thanks to a wild pitch and a Westcott single.
Kenosha came storming back and retook the lead with a five-run eighth inning that featured five walks and a go-ahead two RBI single by designated hitter Kevin Bushnell. Shortstop Brady Counsell also tacked on an RBI single, as he went 2-for-5 on the night.
Kingfish reliever Luke Ellis got the win in two and a third innings of work with four strikeouts, four hits and one earned run given up. Growlers reliever Logan Bursick-Harrington took the loss after allowing two runs in an inning of work.
Closer Grayson Thurman slammed the door for Kenosha, as he struck out the side in the ninth inning to give the Kingfish a win in the most attended opening day in franchise history (2474 fans).
Starting pitcher Clark Candiotti pitched five innings while striking out five, allowing four hits and surrendering one unearned run to get the no decision.
Kenosha will wrap up the two-game homestand against Kalamazoo tomorrow, May 31. The first pitch is at 6:05 CDT.
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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 27th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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, over 245 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB All-Star Jordan Zimmermann (DET). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com or download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
