KENOSHA, WI – The Kenosha Kingfish complete an undefeated homestand with a 7-6 walk-off win against the Rockford Rivets.
Kingfish starter Cole Tolbert began the ballgame strong by retiring the first six hitters, including three strikeouts. The offense gave him some early support when Gavin Taylor hit a two-run homer to left field, making it 2-0 in the second inning.
Tolbert began the third inning with three straight strikeouts and ended with a Noah Jouras solo home run to left to extend the lead to 3-0.
It wasn’t until the fifth inning that Tolbert allowed his first baserunner when Ryan Bakes tripled to right and later scored on a balk. Kenosha responded quickly as Connor Meidroth drove in Robert Newland on an RBI groundout, making it 4-1.
Cole Tolbert finished his stellar outing by tossing seven innings with nine strikeouts while allowing just one run and hit.
Both teams traded solo home runs in the eighth as Nick Demarco left the yard for Rockford and Eli Duncan for Kenosha. Both homers were no-doubters to left field.
The ninth brought chaos as Rockford chased Kenosha reliever Trey Baker out of the game, leaving the bases loaded and no outs. Two batters later, Demarco came through again by scoring two on a double to left-center, cutting the lead down to one run.
A Kenosha fielding error gave Rockford the lead 6-5 in the ninth, stunning the Kenosha crowd.
The lead didn’t last long as Christopher Schuchart doubled to right to tie the game, scoring Nick Giamarusti who pinch-ran for Gavin Taylor. On the very next at-bat, Trey Swiderski singled to left. However, a fielding error by Lucas Spence allowed Schuchart to score and win the game for the Kingfish.
Kenosha hits the road for a four-game trip, beginning in Rockford at 1:35 p.m. tomorrow. Follow @Kenosha_Kingfish on X or watch the game on Northwoods League Plus 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.
