BATTLE CREEK, MI — The Kenosha Kingfish have dropped their first game of the season in a narrow 5-4 defeat.
The Kingfish stirred up drama in the 9th after Brandon Nigh walked to start the inning. Gavin Taylor then advanced Nigh to second on a fielders choice to place the tying run in scoring position. However, Kenosha could not take advantage, with next two Kingfish hitters going down on strikes to end the game.
Starting pitching was excellent once again for the Kingfish, with Eli Cartwright making his first start and second appearance for the Kingfish. Cartwright was excellent striking out 10 in just 5 innings pitched. Cartwright is the first Kingfish to strike out 10 since 2017 — when Zach Stromberg struck out 10 against the Lakeshore Chinooks.
Kingfish relief pitching struggled with Connor Trepanier allowing two earned runs in just .2 inning pitched. Entering today the Kingfish had the 3rd lowest ERA in the Northwoods League.
Kenosha continued to start slowly on offense, not scoring their first run until the 4th inning. The Kingfish have not scored a single run in the first or second inning this season.
D.J Ghiorso led the day offensively with two hits in 4 at-bats with 2 RBI and a stolen base. Robert Newland also tallied two hits on the night.
The loss snaps a three game win streak to start the 2024 season for Kenosha. They will look to get back in the win column for the home opener at newly renovated Historic Simmons field against the Waterloo Bucks. Follow @KenoshaKingfish on twitter or watch the game on NWL+ for updates.
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The Kenosha Kingfish are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Entering its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 26 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 345 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 two-time World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, 2021 and 2023 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com or download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
