Spitters Win Streak Snapped
Traverse City, MI – August 2, 2024 – The Traverse City Pit Spitters lose game two of the two-game series against the Battle Creek Battle Jacks, 5-3, in front of 4,047 fans at Turtle Creek Stadium.
The Pit Spitters offense stayed hot in the first inning starting with a throwing error by Brody Fay to allow Jt Sokolove to reach second. Later in the inning, Aaron Piasecki hit a sacrifice flyout to score Sokolove to start the Spitters off with a 1-0 lead. In the top of the second inning, the Battle Jacks offense pieced together a few offensive opportunities, with a leadoff single from Cody Hultink followed by a walk drawn by Ryan Geck to put two runners on base. Silas Shaffer tied the game with a single to right field that scored Hultink to make it 1-1. Ben Fierenzi hit a single to center scoring two, Berry, who pinch ran for Geck, and Shaffer, to give the Battle Jacks a 3-1 lead. Piasecki led off the bottom of the third inning with a single to left field to start the offense for the Pit Spitters. Camden Traficante was able to push Piasecki across the plate with a ground out to cut the Battle Jacks lead down to 3-2.
The offensive retort continued for the Pit Spitters in the bottom of the fourth inning with a double to left field hit by Ethan Belk. Michael Tchavdarov then hit a double to left field scoring Belk to tie the game at 3-3. In the top of the fifth inning, Caleb Estrada singled to right field and was then thrown out in a fielder’s choice play grounded into by Hultink. Garrett Smith hit a two-run home run to give the Battle Jacks a 5-3 lead. In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Pit Spitters had bases loaded with one out, but didn’t capitalize as Traficante grounded into an inning ending double play. Only an inning later with two runners on, Tchavdarov grounded into an inning ending double play as well. The Battle Jacks went on to seal the victory and snap the five-game winning streak for the Pit Spitters, winning 5-3.
The Pit Spitters drop to 18-11 in the second half of the season and to 35-29 overall, while the Battle Jacks improve to 11-17 in the second half and to 30-34 overall. The Pit Spitters starting pitcher Jake Brown threw three innings where he gave up three runs on four hits, walking three and striking out three. Jack Ickes threw four innings where he allowed two runs on two hits and struck out one. James Geshel threw two innings of scoreless relief where he struck out three.
The Pit Spitters will travel to Kenosha tomorrow for the start of a two-game series against the Kingfish. First pitch is 6:35 p.m. CT. 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 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 history 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, 360 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 two-time World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). League games are viewable live on Northwoods League+ (at watch.northwoodsleague.com), ESPN+, and the Northwoods League Network. Learn more and find complete streaming schedules at watchnwl.com. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com or download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
