In the team’s final road contest of the season, Rivets’ pitchers struggled mightily and Rockford fell to Kenosha 12-2 on Thursday night at Simmons Field. The loss is the Rivets’ fifth in the last six games, and drops their second half record to 13-20.
With the road loss, Rockford finishes its road schedule with a record of 11-23.
Much like Wednesday night’s victory, the Rivets jumped on Kenosha’s pitching early, scoring a run in the 1st and 2nd frames, thanks to RBIs from Kevin Bushnell (Jr, Bennidcitine) and DJ Noble (Fr, South Suburban College).
Coming off his best start of the summer, Noah DeLuga (Fr, Minnesota) took the ball for the Rivets. The southpaw also ran into early struggles and allowed a first-inning RBI double to Matt Korman (Jr, UW-Whitewater).
Following a scoreless 2nd inning, Kenosha rallied in the third. After DeLuga retired the first two batters of the inning, he allowed four straight batters to reach, which resulted in three Kingfish runs.
Leading 5-3, Kenosha’s arms shut down the Rivets bats.
‘Fish starter Reed Smith (R-Jr, Northwestern) settled in after the rough start, throwing three scoreless innings to wrap up his outing.
Kenosha only needed one arm out of the bullpen to relieve Smith, as lefty Brady Kais (R-Jr, Columbus State) tossed four innings, surrendered just one hit and struck out six to finish the game out.
On the other side of the scorecard, Kenosha made sure to leave no doubt.
The Kingfish scored another tally of DeLuga in the 4th to chase him from the ballgame after the frame. Rivets manager JT Scara then handed the ball to Jacob Taft (So, Graceland University) who tossed two scoreless frames before running into trouble in the 7th.
Taft left the game after surrendering two baserunners and a run in the frame. For the second straight game, Scott Henrich (R-Fr, Missouri S&T) came into the ball game and the wheels fell off the wagon, as the Kingfish would rally for seven runs in the inning thanks to four hits, four walks and an error.
The Rivets managed two base runners between the final three frames, but couldn’t cobble together a rally and finished the road slate on a whimper.
To wrap up the season, Rockford will take on Kenosha at home on Friday and Saturday, with the first pitch for both games set for 6:05.