Gustafson Throws Eight; Spitters Take Game One
Traverse City, MI – The Traverse City Pit Spitters win game one of the Great Lakes Division series, 3-2, in front of 1,346 fans at Turtle Creek Stadium. The Pit Spitters improve to 1-0 in the playoffs and are one win away from advancing to the Great Lakes Championship game.
The Growlers broke the scoring column first in the top of the second inning, as Will Furniss hit a solo home run to right field to take an early 1-0 lead. Banks Tolley walked to lead off the top of the fifth for the Growlers. Following a single to left field from Korbin Griffin, and a sacrifice bunt from Evan Rodriguez, Colin Blanchard grounded into a fielder’s choice, scoring Tolley to extend their lead to 2-0. Camden Traficante singled to open the bottom of the fifth inning which was followed by Andrew Mannelly reaching first base after a fielding error made by Rodriguez. Colin Summerhill then singled to left field to load the bases. Parker Brosius singled to center, scoring Traficante and Mannelly to tie the game at 2-2. Cole Prout followed up the single with one of his own to score Summerhill to give the Pit Spitters a 3-2 lead. The Pit Spitters held onto the one run lead, to take game one of the Great Lakes East Division Series. The Pit Spitters will advance to the Great Lakes Championship game with a win tomorrow against Kalamazoo.
The Pit Spitters improve to 1-0 in postseason play, while the Growlers drop to 0-1 in postseason play. The Pit Spitters starting pitcher Aren Gustafson threw eight innings, giving up two runs on four hits, striking out three. Maddux Hoaglund closed out the game, throwing an inning of scoreless ball, striking out one, and earning the save.
The Pit Spitters travel to Homer Stryker Field for game two of the Great Lakes Division series against the Kalamazoo Growlers. First pitch is 6:35PM. 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.
###
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.
