Rockford wins big against Kalamazoo by score of 14-1
The Rockford Rivets defeated Kalamazoo by a score of 14-1 Thursday night at Rivets stadium to win game one of a two game series with the Growlers.
Everyone who stepped up to the plate for the Rivets managed to reach base whether it be from a walk or a hit. Rockford totaled 11 hits on the night while also being selective at the plate and walking 10 times.
Kalamazoo scored their lone run in the second inning to put them ahead 1-0, but after that the bats got hot for the Rivets.
They answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning when center fielder Brennan Reback hit a triple, which was just short of a home run, to score two runs and put Rockford in front 2-1.
The triple was his lone hit, but he also walked four times and made two huge plays in the outfield.
Rivet’s Manager Brian Smith stressed the importance of the two plays Reback made.
“Brennan Reback had a great day,” Smith said. “Those plays in the outfield were huge and everything changes if he doesn’t make those plays. I’m glad I put him in the lineup today.”
The Rivets continued their success at the plate and managed to score in the third and fourth inning. They then poured it on in the fifth when they scored six runs that included back-to-back doubles from first baseman Mason Templet and second baseman Joe Butler.
Just about everyone got in on the offensive action for the Rivets. Six different players had two RBI’s and catcher Brock Mathis sent a long ball over the left field wall to pick up his first homer of the year.
Pitcher Luke Anderson made his first start this year for the Rivets on the mound, but Rockford collectively used four total pitchers to hold the Growlers to just one run. Anderson went three innings while giving up just two hits and striking out four. Anthony Holubecki, Hunter Keim and Cade Bunnell combined to pitch the rest of the game and allowed no runs and just five hits total between the three.
Smith was happy with how Anderson performed in his first start of the season and said that he now has a spot in the starting rotation.
“Luke came in and made a big start for us today,” Smith said. “We needed someone who could step up and give us some solid innings and he’s been doing well the last couple times out. We thought he’s earned that spot.”
The Rivets haven’t always had the luxury of having their bats working while their pitching has been doing well. Smith said it was nice to see both sides of the ball in sync.
“We have the guys to score a lot of runs and we have the guys to put up zeros,” Smith said. “College kids on any day can give you a Jekyll and Hyde performance and you just hope you can play well in each facet of the game to win.”
The Rivets now hold a record 17-13 and are in fourth place in the South Division of the Northwoods League. Their next game will be in Rockford tomorrow at 6:35 p.m. against Kalamazoo in game two of their two game set with the Growlers.
The Rockford Rivets are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Now in its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 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, more than 190 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. 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.
