Growlers Roar Back for 11-3 Victory Over Kingfish

June 7, 2025 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Kalamazoo Growlers News Release

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo Growlers (7-5) scored 10 runs in the final three innings to take a big 11-3 victory over the Kenosha Kingfish (6-7) in game one of a four game set.

Growlers starter Adam Berghorst struggled in the first, throwing 30 pitches, but fought to allow just one run. Berghorst would settle down and keep the Kingfish scoreless until the top of the sixth. On the Kenosha side, starter Jacob Vokal pitched four perfect innings, before being removed after reaching his intended pitch count of 50. Following Vokal's exit, the Growlers would pounce in the home half of the fifth, with center fielder Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe welcoming reliever Matthew Woodward with a double. Jayce Lee would bring Kiracofe in, before the inning ended at 1-1.

Ryan Bakes would leadoff the sixth inning with a long home run off Berghorst that would give the Kingfish the lead right back. Berghorst would retire the next three in order. Kalamazoo would respond themselves in the bottom of the sixth, sending eight to the plate, but scoring just two and stranding the bases loaded. Kenosha would again respond in the top of the seventh, scoring one off a Dayton Murphy single, this off Growler reliever Christian Krause. In the bottom of the seventh inning, Kalamazoo would secure the lead on a JD Crisp two-run double that gave the Growlers a 7-3 advantage. Graham Kollen would pitch a scoreless eighth before Kalamazoo would tack two more on, in large part to a Trevor Johnson two-run double that pushed the game to 11-3. Tyler Papenbrock would get the final three outs to please a sold-out Homer Stryker Field.

The Growlers and Kingfish stay in Kalamazoo Sunday for a scheduled 1:35 p.m. EDT first pitch. The game will be available on Northwoods League+.

Northwoods League Stories from June 7, 2025

• Four Perfect Innings for Vokal in Kingfish Debut, But Pen Collapses in Loss to Kalamazoo - Kenosha Kingfish
• The Stingers Win a High-Scoring Showdown in Dickinson - Willmar Stingers
• The MoonDogs Take Game 1 of the Minot Series - Mankato MoonDogs
• Chinooks' Bats Go Quiet Late in 7-6 Loss to Fond du Lac - Lakeshore Chinooks
• Vela Dominates, Express Secure Big 4-2 Win Over Waterloo - Eau Claire Express
• Duluth Spoils Fireworks Night with 16-5 Win Over Rochester - Rochester Honkers
• Rivets Pull Away Late to Beat First Place Leprechauns - Rockford Rivets
• Brzozowski Mashes Two Homers in Madison Mallards' Blowout Win - Madison Mallards
• Rox Win Gritty Contest Over Bismarck, 5-4, at Home - St. Cloud Rox
• Dock Spiders Rally Past the Chinooks - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
• Growlers Roar Back for 11-3 Victory Over Kingfish - Kalamazoo Growlers
• Spitters Small Ball Their Way to Victory - Traverse City Pit Spitters
• Duluth Huskies Lose First Extra Innings Game of the Season, 2-1, to the La Crosse Loggers - Duluth Huskies
• Logs Better Duluth 2-1 in 10 Innings, Split Series - La Crosse Loggers

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• Growlers Roar Back for 11-3 Victory Over Kingfish
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