Two unearned runs haunted the Rivets in their series finale with the Growlers, as they fell 5-3 on Friday night at Rivets Stadium. The loss brings Rockford’s record to 8-14 in the second half. 

After a scoreless first inning from Rivets starter Ryan Culley (So, Central Michigan) and Growlers starter Hayden Berg (R-Fr, Western Michigan), Rockford struck first in the 2nd inning. 

With the bases loaded, Josue Urdeneta (R-Fr, Indiana State) dashed home from third base on a passed ball, handing Rockford an early lead. 

It didn’t last long, though, as Kalamazoo scored an unearned run in the top of the 3rd as Brooks Coetzee (Jr, Notre Dame) reached on an error and came into score on a Damon Lux (R-So, Duke) double.

Rockford retook the lead in the bottom of the 3rd thanks to a Wade Elliott (So, Louisiana Tech) RBI triple. Kalamazoo made sure that lead wasn’t long-lasting either, as they pulled even at 2 with a Devin Burkes (Fr, Kentucky) RBI knock. 

The see-saw battle continued in the bottom of the 5th inning, as Daniel Cantu (R-Fr, South Florida) belted a long solo home run to right-center field. 

That would be the last time Rockford held the lead, though, as the Growlers responded with a go-ahead, two run double off the bat of Brett Barrera (Fr, Stanford) off of Culley. 

In the 7th, Ryan Green (Jr, Concordia Wisconsin) took the ball for Rockford and allowed the second unearned run of the game, as Coetzee scored from third on an error by Elliott at third base. 

Rockford was unable to mount a rally in the final three innings and dropped their first loss to the Growlers at Rivets Stadium in 2021. 

Culley was handed the loss despite a solid effort, allowing 3 earned runs in 6 innings of work. Berg picked up his third victory of the season against Rockford, as allowed 2 earned runs in 6 frames. 

Rockford will hit the road tomorrow to begin a two game series with the Battle Creek Bombers at 5:35 central time.