Spitters Sweep Back-to-Back Series

Kokomo, IN – July 31, 2024 – The Traverse City Pit Spitters win game two of the two-game series against the Kokomo Jackrabbits, 8-2.

Ethan Belk led off the top of the third inning with a single to jumpstart the Pit Spitters offense. After stealing second, Belk was able to score on an Ethan Guerra single to give the Pit Spitters a 1-0 lead. The Jackrabbits didn’t waste any time in responding to the new Pit Spitters lead as Austin Hear hit a double to left field. Cj Difiglia made up for his two defensive errors from earlier in the ballgame as he singled to right field to score Hear to tie the game at 1-1. In the top of the fourth inning Brett Rozman walked and Camden Traficante was hit by a pitch to put two runners on. Michael Tchavdarov grounded out that allowed Rozman to score to give the Pit Spitters a 2-1 lead. Carter Hain then showcased his power with a double to right field to score Traficante to extend the Pit Spitters lead to 3-1.

Traficante hit a leadoff single to open the top of the sixth inning for the Pit Spitters. Tchavdarov then hit a double into the right field corner scoring Traficante to make it 4-1. The top of the seventh was a busy inning for the Pit Spitters as Aaron Piasecki led it off by reaching base on an error committed by the shortstop Jake Lambdin. Rozman then singled to put two runners on. Traficante grounded into a fielder’s choice where the Jackrabbits only out came at second and put runners on the corners. During Brynden Cleveland’s at-bat, Piasecki was picked off at third which gave the Pit Spitters two outs. Cleveland walked and Tchavdarov was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Hain drew a walk, scoring Traficante to push the Pit Spitters lead to 5-1. Belk cleared the bases with a trip to right field to further extend the Pit Spitters lead to 8-1.

Difiglia walked to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning for the Jackrabbits. He later scored on a wild pitch thrown by Kellen Roberts to cut the Pit Spitters lead down to 8-2. Cleveland led off the top of the ninth with a walk and then scored on a single to left field hit by Tchavdarov to seal the victory for the Pit Spitters at 9-2.

The Pit Spitters improve to 17-10 in the second half of the season and to 34-28 overall, while the Jackrabbits drop to 7-19 in the second half and to 18-43 overall. The Pit Spitters starting pitcher Reilly Shafer threw six innings of one run ball where he gave up four hits on three walks while striking out six. James Geshel threw an inning of relief striking out three batters. Kellen Roberts threw an inning where he gave up a run on a hit and a walk. Jaxon Huffman threw an inning of scoreless relief where he struckout one.

The Pit Spitters will travel back to Traverse City for the start of a two game home stand that features the Battle Creek Battle Jacks. First pitch is tomorrow at 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.

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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.