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Published On: July 31st, 2026

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — After losing both games of Thursday’s doubleheader against the Traverse City Pit Spitters, the Kenosha Kingfish extended their losing streak to seven games with a 4-3 loss Friday night.

The Kingfish turned to their ace in Jackson Sobel Friday, hoping to change their fortunes in the midst of a six-game losing streak. However, the Pit Spitters were able to string together some runs in Sobel’s outing as he allowed four runs through 5 1/3 innings.

After Traverse City’s leadoff man JT Smith was able to work a walk to begin the second, the Pit Spitters would strike first as Smith would come around to score with the help of a stolen base and two wild pitches.

The Pit Spitters would strike once again in the fourth, scoring two runs to extend their lead to 3-0. JT Smith would start the rally off again for Traverse City with a one-out double and would score on an RBI-single by Wyatt Epple. On the same play, Epple would score on an errant throw that brought him around the bases.

Keeping the leadoff runner off base would plague the Kingfish once more in the fifth as Traverse City was able to extend their lead to 4-0 in the bottom half of the fifth. After a leadoff double by Jacob Kucharczyk and Sean Martinez reaching base after getting hit by a pitch, a flyout to right field by Ethan Guerra put runners on the corners with one out. Kucharczyk would score on another throwing error by Kenosha, marking the second unearned run for Sobel in his outing.

After five scoreless innings from Traverse City’s starting pitcher Kyle Timko, the Kingfish would cut into the deficit in the top of the sixth, scoring three runs. After singles by Bennett Shealor and Matthew Cormier, the table was set for Cole Ide. On the third pitch of the at-bat, Ide would hit a three-run home run, his sixth of the summer. That would be all for Timko as Ty Jenkins would be the reliever called upon from the bullpen to hold the Pit Spitters’ lead that currently sat at 4-3.

The Kingfish looked to be threatening once more in the sixth as Jenkins would allow back-to-back singles to Jaden Santiago and Tate Bender, bringing up Will Matuszak with two runners on and two outs. After a single by Matuszak, it seemed as if the Kingfish were going to tie the game, but a long throw from Epple, who was playing center field, would throw out the runner at the plate, ending the sixth.

After Sobel exited in the sixth, Aaron Scott came into the game in relief, pitching the final 2 2/3 innings and shutting down the Pit Spitters offense, allowing no runs and no hits while striking out three.

After the three run sixth, Jenkins and David Heefner would combine to throw three scoreless innings while allowing four hits and striking out two. More importantly, they would hold the Pit Spitters one-run lead and secure the 4-3 victory, completing the three-game sweep.

The Kingfish will return to Historic Simmons Field for a doubleheader on Saturday to makeup a postponed because of poor air quality on July 16. Both games will be seven innings, separated by a short break in between. First pitch in game one is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. CDT.

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