Growlers Walk to Win in Wisconsin Rapids
Published on June 16, 2026 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Kalamazoo Growlers News Release
KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Kalamazoo Growlers (12-9) walked 18 times in a 9-7 win against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (6-12) Monday night.
The Growlers scored first for the first time in four games, taking a 4-0 lead through four innings. Jack Crittendon started the game for Kalamazoo and was coasting until the fifth, when he allowed three runs, making it a one-run game.
Crittendon came back out for the sixth, walking the leadoff batter on four pitches before being removed from the game. In relief, Christian Forniss retired the side in the sixth, keeping the game at 4-3.
In the seventh, the Kalamazoo offense added some insurance, picking up a single and four walks to give the Growlers a 7-3 lead.
Forniss remained out for the seventh, allowing one run and then stranding the bases loaded in the seventh. The Growlers answered with another run in the top of the eighth, retaking a four run lead.
In the eighth, Peyton Williams entered for Kalamazoo, and didn't use his defense. Three walks and three strikeouts completed the 39-pitch inning, as Williams escaped without allowing a run.
After one more run in the top of the ninth, the Growlers called on Preston Cosby to finish the game. The previously unblemished resume was tarnished, as Connor Harvie launched a three-run home run to left field, bringing the Rafters within two. Josiah Palomino singled to bring the tying run to the plate, but Cosby induced a groundball to finish off a Kalamazoo win.
The offense came back to life Monday night, walking 18 times. Charlie Wortham and Trevor Johnson led the team, each walking four times.
"Something we've been bad about is forcing the ball in play too early in a count," Coach Piechocki said postgame, "the obligation tonight was to be more patient and look for our pitch."
The win keeps Kalamazoo atop the Great Lakes East standings, tied with the Richmond Flying Mummies after 21 games.
The Growlers and Rafters have a quick turnaround, with first pitch Tuesday scheduled for 2:05 p.m. ET.
Northwoods League Stories from June 16, 2026
- Rockers Give up Three-Run Lead, Fall to Dock Spiders - Green Bay Rockers
- Fast Start Not Enough for Stingers in 5-4 Road Loss - Willmar Stingers
- Dock Spiders Rise Past the Rockers - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
- Habaneros Blanked by Grand Forks - Mankato MoonDogs
- Woodchucks Fall, Split Four-Game Set in Lakeshore - Wausau Woodchucks
- Offensive Struggles Continue, Rivets Drop Seventh Straight - Rockford Rivets
- Ninth-Inning Rally Leads Growlers to Rain-Riddled Win - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Pit Spitters Can't Recover from Kenosha's Early Surge, Swept by Kingfish - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Lakeshore Chinooks and Wausau Woodchucks Series Finale Preview 6/16 - Lakeshore Chinooks
- Mummies Battle Jacks in Second Game at McBride Tuesday - Richmond Flying Mummies
- Chinooks Bats Quiet After Second Inning in Loss - Lakeshore Chinooks
- LePage Set to Start in Series Finale - Green Bay Rockers
- Express Top Loggers 9-4 - La Crosse Loggers
- MoonDogs Top Big Sticks 5-1 - Mankato MoonDogs
- Eau Claire Stays Hot, Rides 15-Hit Night to Victory - Eau Claire Express
- Growlers Walk to Win in Wisconsin Rapids - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Rox Fall Short 8-5, Return Home Tuesday - St. Cloud Rox
- Green Bay Tops Fond du Lac in Extras - Green Bay Rockers
- Dock Spiders Lose in Extra Innings Thriller against the Rockers - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
- Kyle Panganiban Stars in Stingers Win over Rox - Willmar Stingers
- Strong Start by MoonDogs Holds Big Sticks Offense to One Run in Loss - Badlands Big Sticks
- Kingfish Take Series Opener in Close Divisional Race - Kenosha Kingfish
- Woodchucks Dig Deep for Key Win in Lakeshore - Wausau Woodchucks
- Mummies Ride Fast Start to 9-1 Win over Battle Jacks - Richmond Flying Mummies
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
