KENOSHA, WI – The Kenosha Kingfish drop the first game of the series against the Royal Oak Leprechauns 3-2.

Early base runners would reach for both teams through the first three innings. However, the two starting pitchers escaped these jams with many strikeouts. Kenosha’s Eli Cartwright collected six with four runners stranded, while Royal Oak’s Alejandro Espinoza registered two with five left on.

The top of the fourth saw a very close play at first when Cam Hollobaugh reached safely on. Saborn Campbell followed with a two-run blast into left field to put Royal Oak on top 2-0. Eli Cartwright’s day would end after the inning with eight strikeouts total with only one earned run.

The next few innings saw both offenses stall as the two teams combined for 15 strikeouts and only six hits through six.

With a runner on third and two out, a costly fielding error by Kenosha added another insurance run to the Royal Oak lead in the seventh.

The Fish responded quickly as Trey Swiderski launched a two-run homer into the Fish Bowl Club, making it 3-2 Leprechauns. Espinoza finished his outing through seven innings with two runs allowed, five hits, and four strikeouts.

The final two innings saw quality pitching for both teams. Kenosha’s Luke Lyman threw three strikeouts in his two innings of work. Gavin Moczydlowksy and Jake Jekielek shut it down for Royal Oak at the end by retiring the final six batters.

The Kingfish cap off their four-game homestand tomorrow at 6:35 p.m. against the Leprechauns. Follow @Kenosha_Kingfish on X or watch the game on Northwoods League+ 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’ 31^st 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.