KENOSHA, WI – The Kenosha Kingfish lose a heartbreaker to the Traverse City Pit Spitters 8-7.

Poor control was an early issue for Kingfish starter Robby Porco in the first inning as Traverse City loaded the bases with two walks and a hit-by-pitch. Damage was limited to only one run after Aaron Piasecki came home on a sacrifice fly.

The Fish threatened in the second by loading the bases with one out. However, a double-play groundout to second allowed the Pit Spitters to escape without harm.

Traverse City made Kenosha pay in the third as they began with runners at the corners with no outs. A double-play groundout allowed Trent Reed to come home from third. Another insurance run was added in the fourth courtesy of Michael Tchavdarov’s RBI single to shallow left field, making it 3-0.

The offense erupted for the Fish in the fourth after the first six batters reached base. Tyler Bickers plated Noah Lazuka with a single to right for the first run. A couple of hitters later, Zach Justice ripped a game-tying double to left-center field, scoring Tyler Bickers and Michael Perazza.

Pitching settled down for both teams over the next few innings. Robby Porco didn’t allow a hit in his last three innings, including three strikeouts during that span. He finished with seven innings and six strikeouts. Traverse City’s Evan Langer tossed three strikeouts in that timeframe, too.

However, a costly throwing error hurt the Pit Spitters in the seventh. This allowed Tyler Bickers to break the tie with a two-run single to left field, scoring Brandon Nigh and Noah Lazuka.

The Fish added some insurance runs in the eighth on a few wild pitches by Mason Hill. With the bases loaded, Zach Justice scored the first run as the other runners advanced, too. Nate Mieszkowski touched home on the second wild pitch, making it a 7-3 ballgame.

Traverse City’s offense didn’t go away in the ninth as they scored five runs to take a late lead. Michael Tchavdarov drove in the first run with an RBI double to left. Back-to-back walks by Camden Traficante and Gavin Balius brought the lead down to one. With the bases loaded and two outs, Brady Gavula clutched a two-RBI single to center for the lead. Dominic Mauro struck out the side in the ninth for the Pit Spitters.

The Kingfish continue this series tomorrow at Historic Simmons Field at 1:35 p.m. CT. 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. Now in its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history 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, 360 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 (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, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). League games are viewable live on Northwoods League+ (at watch.northwoodsleague.com), ESPN+, and the Northwoods League Network.  Learn more and find complete streaming schedules at watchnwl.com. For more information, visit www.greenbayrockers.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rockers as your favorite team.