By: Kyle Tausk
ROCKFORD, Ill. — A nightmare first inning dug the Rivets a hole far too deep to dig out of in a rain-shortened blowout loss.
In the first 2025 rematch of last season’s hotly contested playoff series in Rockford, the Kalamazoo Growlers (5-4) imposed their will on the Rockford Rivets (5-4) from the very first pitch, coasting to a 17-1 victory in five innings behind a 12-run top of the first.
The Rivets pitching staff struggled mightily to begin the game, walking eight Growler hitters — including the first five and eight of the first 10 — in the seemingly never-ending opening frame. 17 total Growlers came to the plate in the 12-run first that created what felt like an insurmountable deficit right out of the gate.
Danny Cercello (Houston) started for the Rivets and battled control issues over his one-third of an inning, while Gideon Motes (Michigan) didn’t fare much better in his two-thirds that finally put an end to the Kalamazoo avalanche. Both pitchers were charged with six earned runs.
The Growlers didn’t stop there, though. Kalamazoo tacked on two more runs in the second on a two-run double by shortstop Noah Coy before designated hitter Matthew Thompson and third baseman Isaac Vanderwoude blasted back-to-back home runs in the third to plate three more.
Rivets head coach Chase Brewster opted to turn to catcher Byron Blaise (Quincy) to pitch after rough nights from Cercello, Motes and Braydon Cooper (Rock Valley) in an effort to save the rest of his arms for the games ahead. Blaise ended up as the most effective Rivet to take the mound, keeping the blazing Growler offense scoreless across his three innings of work before the tarp came onto the field and ended the night.
The Rivets’ only run of the evening came on an RBI groundout by Tommy Townsend (Butler) in the third inning, his team-leading eighth run batted in of the season. The Rivets were held to just one hit — a first inning single by AJ Malzone (Wabash Valley) — and seven total baserunners.
The game entered a brief rain delay prior to the bottom of the fourth inning, ultimately resuming play about 35 minutes later. After the Rivets hit in the bottom of the fifth inning — making the game by rule, official — the decision was made to halt play for the night and deem the score final.
The Growlers and Rivets will meet again on Wednesday at 11:05 a.m. at Rivets Stadium, weather permitting. Fans can purchase tickets to Rivets games all season long at www.rockfordrivets.com.
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The Rockford Rivets are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Now in its’ 31st 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, 360 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 World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). League games are viewable live on Northwoods League+ (at watch.northwoodsleague.com), ESPN+, and the Northwoods League Network. Learn more and find complete streaming schedules at watchnwl.com. For more information, visit www.rockfordrivets.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rivets as your favorite team.