Northwoods Kalamazoo Growlers

Big Innings Propel Madison Past Kalamazoo Growlers

Published on May 28, 2015 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Kalamazoo Growlers News Release


Justin Fletcher of the Kalamazoo Growlers
Justin Fletcher of the Kalamazoo Growlers
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MADISON, WI - The Kalamazoo Growlers fell victim to a pair of five-run frames as the Madison Mallards rocketed to a 16-1 victory to sweep the two-game set at Warner Park in Madison.

The Mallards batted around against Kalamazoo starter TJ Cerven (KVCC/Grand Valley State) in the bottom of the second inning. After a walk and a fielder's choice, Jonathan Quintana (Barry) launched a double to left center to plate the game's first run. Chris Tschida (Western Illinois) followed two batters later with his own RBI double down the right field line. Cameron Frost (Washington State) singled and Anthony Gonsolin (Illinois State) reached on an error that plated Tschida. J.J. Gould (Jacksonville) capped the scoring by blooping a two-run single over the shortstop to make it 5-0.

The Growlers got a run back in the top of the fourth, as Justin Fletcher (Northern Illinois) jumped on a Nate Hoffmann (Middle Tennessee State) fastball, launching it into the left-center picnic area to make it 5-1. Madison quickly responded in the bottom of the frame as Gonsolin hit a soaring fly ball over the left field wall for a solo home run. The Mallards piled on in the fifth as back-to-back RBI doubles by Tschida and Frost chased Cerven with the game.

Madison kept the pressure on in the sixth and seventh innings, scoring three and five runs, respectively. Logan Regnier (Central Michigan) provided the exclamation point with a pinch-hit two-run homer to give the game its final margin.

Hoffmann (1-0) picked up his first win of the season with five innings of one-run, two-hit ball. He walked one, struck out four, and did not allow a hit until the fourth inning. Cerven (0-1) was shelled with the loss after allowing five runs (three earned) on eight hits in 4.2 innings.

Scott Moss (Florida), Tyler Frohwirth (Minnesota State-Mankato), Vince Arobio (Pacific), and Mike Kaelin (Buffalo) kept Kalamazoo off the board for the final four innings. The Growlers' Nathan Coakley (Saint Francis) gave up eight runs, all earned, over his two innings in relief. Ryan Slaughter (KVCC) came in from third base to finish off the final four outs.

Fletcher carried two of the Growlers' three hits on the night, going 2-4 with the fourth-inning home run and a sixth-inning single. Slaughter singled in the fifth for Kalamazoo's only other hit.

Quintana led the Mallard charge by going 3-3 with a double, steal, and three RBIs. Gould also drove in three, while Tschida came home to score three times.

Kalamazoo now turns its attention back east for the start of the I-94 Rivalry Series presented by OnStaff Group. The Growlers will travel to Battle Creek on Thursday before hosting the Bombers on Friday. First pitch from C.O. Brown Stadium is set for 7:05 p.m.




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Justin Fletcher of the Kalamazoo Growlers
Justin Fletcher of the Kalamazoo Growlers
   



Northwoods League Stories from May 28, 2015


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