Growlers Hold Steady in Road Win
Northwoods Kalamazoo Growlers

Growlers Hold Steady in Road Win

Published on August 2, 2026 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Kalamazoo Growlers News Release


KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Kalamazoo Growlers (33-33, 12-18) were strong all-around in a 6-4 road win against the Battle Creek Battle Jacks (21-44, 9-21) Sunday evening.

Kalamazoo jumped on the board in the first inning, taking a 1-0 lead against Battle Creek starting pitcher Brayden Groseclose.

The Growlers added on in the third inning, with Phillip Thigpen driving in two of the runs on a double.

Bryce Brannon allowed the only run of his outing in the fourth inning, finishing his night with five innings while allowing one run.

The Battle Jacks scored again in the seventh inning, riding three doubles to a three-run inning, moving within one run.

In the eighth inning, with Preston Cosby on the mound, Thigpen did the damage on the defensive side. The third baseman snagged a line drive out of the air right before charging on a ball and making a throw over to first for the second out.

"My mindset was to stay locked-in on defense," Thigpen said. "I had to help [Cosby] out on the mound, he just committed to Eastern Michigan [with me] so I wanted to help him get out of the inning."

The Growlers added on in the ninth inning, as DeMir Heidelberg picked up an RBI single.

"I knew it was a big moment if we got that extra run," Heidelberg said.

Gavin Jones earned the save, stranding the tying runner on first base.

The win marks Kalamazoo's third consecutive victory and a 9-3 series win over Battle Creek.

The Growlers are back in action Monday night against the Royal Oak Leprechauns with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. EDT.

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