Spitters Offense Awakens in Fashion
Kalamazoo, MI – The Traverse City Pit Spitters win game one of the series against the Kalamazoo Growlers, 7-2. The Pit Spitters record improves to 33-22, and 11-9 in the second half.
After a great starting pitching duel to begin the game, the Pit Spitters put an end to the Growlers dominance on the mound in the top of the fifth with a Camden Traficante singled to right field. Tyler Minnick then hit a two-run home run to give the Pit Spitters a 2-0 lead. The Growlers offense got one back in the bottom of the sixth as Casen Taggart reached first base and then advanced to second on a throwing error made by third baseman Glenn Miller. Jeter Ybarra singled to left field scoring Taggart to cut into the Pit Spitters lead, 2-1. The Pit Spitters offense was spinning on all wheels in the top of the eighth inning as Evan Orzech led off with a walk. Jack Crighton singled moving Orzech to third. Parker Brosius made it back-to-back hits with a single to right field, scoring Orzech extending the Pit Spitters lead to 3-1. Following Glenn Miller’s walk, Colin Summerhill singled, scoring both Crighton and Miller to make it a 5-1 Pit Spitters lead. Andrew Mannelly became the sixth straight Pit Spitter batter to reach base safely, as he doubled putting runners at second and third. Traficante dropped a sacrifice bunt scoring Summerhill to make it 6-1. Cole Prout joined the offensive party, as he singled, scoring Mannelly, giving the Pit Spitters a 7-1 lead. Casen Taggart drew a walk to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning. Taggart made his way to third after a ground out hit by Jeter Ybarra and a wild pitch thrown by Noah Samol. Will Furniss grounded out to first base scoring Taggart to make it a 7-2 game.
The Pit Spitters improve to 33-22 on the season and 11-9 in the second half, while the Growlers drop to a 34-18 overall record and 13-5 in the second half. Pit Spitters starting pitcher, Ethan Foley threw two and a third innings, giving up no runs on two hits. Mitch Grannan threw two and two thirds innings of scoreless relief, striking out five on one hit. Jared Ure threw two innings of scoreless ball, giving up three hits. Noah Samol threw the last two innings of the game, giving up one run on two hits and three walks, striking out two.
Up next
The Pit Spitters stay in Kalamazoo for the series finale series. First pitch is 1:35 PM. All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. For more information, visit www.pitspitters.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Pit Spitters as your favorite team.
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About the Traverse City Pit Spitters: The Traverse City Pit Spitters have been members of the Northwoods League since their inaugural season in 2019. The Pit Spitters have won two Northwoods League Championships and delivered their unique brand of FUN to hundreds of thousands of fans. The Pit Spitters share Managing Partners and principal ownership with the West Michigan Whitecaps, the High A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, based in Comstock Park, Michigan. The team’s home games are played in Traverse City’s favorite multi-purpose outdoor entertainment venue, Turtle Creek Stadium. For more information visit https://northwoodsleague.com/traverse-city-pit-spitters/ or contact Jacqueline Holm at 231-943-0100 Ext. 214/ email JacquelineH@pitspitters.com.
About the Northwoods League: The Traverse City Pit Spitters 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’ 30th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 24 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, over 325 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 (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. For more information, visit www.pitspitters.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Pit Spitters as your favorite team.
