Pitching Struggles Continue in Second Straight Loss

Traverse City, MI – July 14, 2024 – The Traverse City Pit Spitters lose game one of the two-game series against the Kokomo Jackrabbits, 8-4.

The Pit Spitters struggles against the Jackrabbits continued in the top of the first inning. Lukas Farris drew a leadoff walk followed by a single to center field hit by Cj Difiglia. For the second night in a row, Ethan Rossi hit a three-run home run to give the Jackrabbits a 3-0 lead. The Pit Spitters offense looked like they were ready for another slugfest as Ethan Guerra was hit by a pitch to start it off in the bottom of the first. Aaron Piasecki singled to right field and Daniel Jackson walked to load the bases. The Pit Spitters were only able to scrape across one run in the bottom of the first inning as Vahn Lackey grounded out scoring Guerra to cut the Jackrabbits lead down to 3-1. The Jackrabbits didn’t settle following their big first inning as Chandler Tuupo singled to left field to start their offense. Luka Farris walked to put two runners on. Tuupo scored on a fielder’s choice extending the Jackrabbits lead to 4-1. Vincent Temesvary then hit a single to center field plating Difiglia to make it 5-1. Ethan Belk started the home half of the second inning with a walk. Michael Tchavdarov then singled to right field to put two runners on. Jt Sokolove reached base on a fielder’s choice and then was tagged out after getting caught in a rundown. During the rundown, Guerra scored bringing the score to 5-2.

In the top of the fourth inning the Jackrabbits put on a two-out rally as Difiglia walked and Temesvary singled. Difiglia scored on an error committed by shortstop Brett Denby to extend their lead to 6-2. After another walk was drawn by Eric Harper, Michael Flaherty drew a walk with bases loaded to score Temesvary pushing their lead to 7-2. The Pit Spitters didn’t waste any time in the bottom of the fourth inning as Ethan Belk reached first on an error committed by shortstop Jake Lambdin. Tchavdarov singled and Sokolove was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Guerra was hit by a pitch that allowed Belk to score to make it 7-3. Piasecki hit a sacrifice flyout to center scoring Tchavdarov and cut the Jackrabbits lead down to 7-4. Ethan Rossi led off the top of the sixth with a triple to center field and then scored on the next batter with a single to left field to give the game its final score of 8-4.

The Pit Spitters drop to 9-5 in the second half and to 26-23 overall, while the Jackrabbits improve to 4-9 in the second half and to 21-33 overall. The Pit Spitters starting pitcher Logan Pikur threw three and two thirds’ innings, giving up five runs on six hits, five walks, and striking out three. Trent Reed threw two innings, giving up a run on three hits and a walk. Josh Klug threw the final three innings, all scoreless, as he allowed two walks, two hits, and struckout one.

The Pit Spitters stay in Traverse City for game two of the four-game home stand. They’ll go for the series split against the Jackrabbits tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. and its Hunting and Fishing Night. 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.