Kalamazoo Scores 14 in Offensive Onslaught

Box Score

Kalamazoo, Mich.-It was an offensive explosion at Homer Stryker Field as the Kalamazoo Growlers (4-1) outlasted the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (2-3) in a 14-7 game. A night after going for 13 runs vs. Battle Creek, the Growlers picked up where they left off in the bottom of the first. The first four batters reached on hits, and the first out of the inning even resulted in another run. By the time it was all over, the Growlers had scored 5 runs and chased Rafters’ starter Zach Carlson (UW-Stout) after just a third of an inning pitched.

 

The Rafters would claw back a half inning later as Kyle McHugh (UW-Stevens Point) hit his second home run in as many days as he blasted a Luke Bolka (Eastern Carolina) pitch over the left field fence.

 

Kalamazoo answered right back by putting another crooked number on the board in the bootom of the third. The highlight of the inning was a three run home run by DH Nick Yarnall (Pitt). The Growlers would score 13 runs through the first 4 innings of the game.

 

Neither pitching staff had a game to remember but Dillon Haviland (Duke) brought some order to the proceedings. Haviland kept Wisconsin Rapids scoreless over the final four innings while striking out 9 Rafters.

 

The Rafters and Growlers finish up their series tomorrow at 5:05 pm EST.

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The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 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, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League YouTube channel.  For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com