Spitters Stumped by Kingfish
Traverse City, MI – July 16, 2024 – The Traverse City Pit Spitters lose game one of the two-game series against the Kenosha Kingfish, 6-1.
The Kingfish offense continued their success against the Pit Spitters this season beginning in the top of the second inning. Zach Justice singled to center and then scored on a two-run home run hit by Michael Perazza to give the Kingfish a 2-0 lead. In the top of the third inning, Pit Spitters starting pitcher was off to a good start setting down the first two batters in order. Perazza, Hunter Daymond, and Nate Mieszkowski all singled with two outs to load the bases. Justin Hausser popped a ball up into left field and Trent Reed was unable to field it cleanly, allowing Perazza and Daymond to score, extending the Kingfish lead to 4-0. Christopher Schuchart added one more with a single to center scoring Mieszkowski to push their lead to 5-0. The Pit Spitters offense started out the bottom of the sixth inning strong with back-to-back singles hit by Michael Tchavdarov and Brett Rozman. Ethan Guerra then grounded into a double play killing any offensive momentum. Aaron Piasecki singled to left field scoring Tchavdarov to put the Pit Spitters on the board making it 5-1. In the top of the ninth, the Kingfish offense was back at it with back-to-back walks from Hausser and Schuchart to put two runners on. Brandon Nigh hit a groundball to shortstop where it was miss handled by Camden Traficante allowing Hausser to score to give the game its final score of 6-1.
The Pit Spitters drop to 10-6 in the second half and to 27-24 overall, while the Kingfish improve to 5-10 in the second half and to 21-30 overall. The Pit Spitters starting pitcher Reilly Shafer threw six innings, giving up two runs on eight hits, one walk, and five strikeouts. Evan Langer threw an inning of scoreless ball, giving up two hits. Dominic Mauro threw two innings of scoreless ball giving up two walks while striking out three.
The Pit Spitters stay in Traverse City for game four of the four-game home stand as they’ll face Kenosha Kingfish for the final time this season at Turtle Creek Stadium. First pitch is 7:05 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.
###
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.
