To conclude the month of July and into the final stretch, the Jackrabbits exit the month on a three game losing streak, most recently in a 9-2 loss against the Traverse City Pitt Spitters.

The Pitt Spitters are among the most consistent teams in the Northwoods League, as Traverse City leads the Great Lakes East division throughout the second half of the season with a 17-10 record. 

On the contrary, the Kokomo Jackrabbits are on the other end of the spectrum with a 7-19 second half record, and in last place of the Great Lakes East. 

Offense was at a premium for the Jackrabbits on Wednesday, as Kokomo compiled just four hits while committing three errors defensively. Two of Kokomo’s four hits came in the third, as an Austin Hear double to center followed by a Cj Difiglia RBI single tied the game at 1-1. 

However, a tied ball game was not the story for long, as the Jackrabbits succumbed in the middle innings. 

The game tied 1-1 after three, Traverse City’s offense took advantage of a walk and hit by pitch to open the fourth. Traverse City’s Carter Hain blew an RBI double into right field, scoring Camden Traficante from first to make the score 3-1. 

What was once 3-1, quickly turned into a bloodbath for Kokomo’s bullpen. After tacking on one run in the 6th, Traverse City blew the door wide open in the 7th. 

 Kokomo starter Connor Throneberry exited after 5 ⅔ innings of seven hits and three earned runs, leaving the job in the bullpens hands the rest of the way.

Trailing 4-1 into the seventh, Traverse City’s Ethan Belk sent a triple into the far corner in right field with two outs. The triple cleared the bases, scoring three runs and giving the Pitt Spitters a commanding 8-1 advantage. 

Defensively for Traverse City, starter Reilly Shafer kept Kokomo’s offense behind bars. Shafer pitched six innings, striking out six on just one earned run en route to his win. After Shafer exited, the seventh inning stretch didn’t do any favors for Kokomo’s offense.

The Jackrabbits mustered one more run in the eighth off a wild pitch that scored CJ Difiglia from third. Other than that, the seventh and ninth inning was three up, and three down for Kokomo’s lineup as they ultimately fell 9-2. 

As Kokomo looks ahead, the Jackrabbits will finish their four game home-stand with a two game series against the Kenosha Kingfish on Thursday and Friday. 

 

 

Article written by Charlie Huiras