TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — The Richmond Flying Mummies (15-12) return to action today in Traverse City, looking to secure a series split with the Pit Spitters (16-11) and re-establish positioning in the Great Lakes East.
Saturday’s game was a tough ride for the Mummies, falling behind 5-0 early on and struggling to recuperate the runs, en route to a 14-9 loss. The deficit reached as much as 9-1 after the sixth inning, before the Mummies made things interesting with a five-run seventh and, after holding Traverse City scoreless in the bottom of the frame, scoring another in the eighth to make it 9-6. The Pit Spitters countered with their own five-run frame in the bottom of the inning, however, and a comeback attempt stalled for Richmond after two runs in the top of the ninth.
Offensively, the Mummies tallied 10-plus hits for the seventh time this season. Jackson Thomas also extended his hit streak to eight games, and on-base streak to nine consecutive contests. Pitching and fielding pitfalls continued for Richmond, however, with each of the four pitchers utilized allowing at least one earned run (and two with four-plus), along with three defensive errors committed.
The loss was an untimely one for the Mummies with nine games to play in the first half of the Northwoods League season. A Kalamazoo Growlers win allowed them to retain sole possession of first place in the Great Lakes East division, with Traverse City one game back in second place, and Richmond now two games behind and tied for third with a Kenosha Kingfish team that also emerged victorious on Saturday.
Brendan Murphy (1-1, 5.30 ERA) will look to provide a defensive spark for the Flying Mummies, making his fifth start of the season. Jake Ickes (0-2, 6.91 ERA) takes the mound for the Pit Spitters, also getting his fifth starting nod this summer.
First pitch tonight from Turtle Creek Stadium is scheduled for 5:05 PM EST. A livestream is also available on FloSports.
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The Richmond Flying Mummies are a proud member of the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 32nd 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 410 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.
