ROYAL OAK, Mich. — The Kenosha Kingfish suffered another loss as a two-run ninth propelled the Royal Oak Leprechauns to a series sweep by a final score of 8-7.
The Kingfish got off to a hot start in the first as a leadoff double by Brendan Fritch and a sacrifice fly by Hunter Snyder got them on the board.
Quickly, the Leprechauns answered with RBI hits by Luke Kosko and Patrick Illitch that helped the Leprechauns reclaim the lead with a three-run second.
After a two-run fifth and a run in the seventh, the Kingfish found themselves behind 6-4 by the end of the seventh.
Down to their final six outs, a rally was needed to keep any hopes for a win alive. A leadoff double by Cole Ide helped set the tone for the Kingfish, as an RBI single in the following at-bat by Luke Landrus helped cut the lead to just one. A Jackson Brewer walk put runners on first and second to set the table for Nolan Jaworoski. On the second pitch, a pull-side single drove in the game-tying run. An RBI fielder’s choice by Noah Brandt gave the Kingfish the lead to conclude the eighth.
Now only three outs away, the bottom of the ninth arrived with a one-run lead for the Kingfish. A single, hit-by-pitch and a walk loaded the bases for the Leprechauns with only one out. Down 0-2, designated hitter Luke Kosko notched his second hit of the night with a walk-off two-RBI double to secure the win for the Leprechauns.
After a 1-3 road trip, the Kenosha Kingfish will play four games at home starting Friday, May 29. First pitch on Friday and Saturday is slated for 6:35 p.m. CDT.
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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Now entering its’ 33rd 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, nearly 2400 NWL alums have been drafted and over 415 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 (TOR), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford and World Series Champion and Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (BAL) and 2023 World Series Champion, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove, two-time Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (NYM). League games are viewable live on FloSports.tv.
