Spitters Outslugged in Series Finale

Kokomo, IN – July 13, 2024 – The Traverse City Pit Spitters lose game two of the two game series against the Kokomo Jackrabbits, 17-16.

In what was a battle to the bat racks tonight the Pit Spitters threw the first punch with Aaron Piasecki hitting a single and Daniel Jackson drawing a walk. Vahn Lackey hit a bases clearing double to give the Pit Spitters a 2-0 lead. The Jackrabbits responded accordingly with Lukas Farris getting hit by a pitch and then later scoring on a single to right field hit by J.J. Dutton to make it 2-1. Ethan Rossi cleared the bases with a two-run home run to give the Jackrabbits a 3-2 lead. The Jackrabbits offensive surge continued in the bottom of the second inning. Vincent Temesevary scored on a fielder’s choice that was grounded into by Aidan Mcaskie to make it 4-2. Mcaskie and Rossi both scored on a couple of base hits to further extend the Jackrabbits lead to 6-2. They added one more when Derek Seigneur drew a walk with bases loaded to scored James Oman to push their lead to 7-2. The Pit Spitters offense got back up in the top of the third with a single to right field that scored Jt Sokolove to cut the Jackrabbits lead to 7-3. Guerra scored on a sacrifice flyout followed by Brett Denby scoring on a groundout that brought the Pit Spitters within 7-5. In the bottom of the third inning, the Jackrabbits responded right back with Temesvary and Mcaskie scoring on back-to-back singles to extend their lead to 9-5. Three hit-by-pitches in a row allowed Rossie, Oman, and Michael Flaherty to score making it 12-5. Cj Difiglia scored on a bases loaded walk capping off the Jackrabbits third inning with a 13-5 lead.

The Pit Spitters would add one in the top of the fourth inning with a bases loaded walk from Aaron Piasecki scoring Gavin Bailus to make it 13-6. In the top of the sixth inning Sokolove scored on a single to right field hit by Piasecki to cut the Jackrabbits lead down to 13-7. Guerra scored on a walk, Piasecki scored on a single, and Lackey scored on a passed ball to bring the Jackrabbits lead down to 13-10. Rossi scored on a single to right field to extend the Jackrabbits lead by one more making it 14-10.

In the top of the seventh inning, Guerra scored on a ground rule double, Piasecki on a passed ball, and Belk on an infield single to pull within one, making it 14-13. However, in the bottom half of the inning, Dutton scored on a bases loaded walk, Mcaskie on a single and Seigneur on a passed ball to give them a 17-13 lead. With bases loaded, Bailus scored when Jackson was hit by a pitch and Sokolove scored on a dropped infield fly rule to pull within 17-15. In the top of the ninth, the Pit Spitters were only able to scratch one more run across on a sacrifice flyout that made it 17-16. That went on to be the final score of the game.

The Pit Spitters drop to 9-4 in the second half and to 26-22 overall, while the Jackrabbits improve to 3-9 in the second half and to 20-33 overall. The Pit Spitters starting pitcher Grant Garman threw two and a third innings where he gave up 12 runs on 12 hits, walking three batters and striking out one. Jaxon Huffman threw two and two thirds inning giving up a run on a hit, three walks, and striking out three. Dominic Mauro threw an inning and a third giving up four runs on three hits and striking out four. Mason Hill threw an inning and a third of scoreless relief giving up two hits and striking out two.

The Pit Spitters will travel back to Traverse City for game one of a four-game home stand. First pitch is tomorrow at 5:05 p.m. 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/ or by email at 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 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world 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, 340 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.