Northwoods Battle Creek Battle Jacks

Rivets Complete the Sweep 9-6, Battle Jacks Offense Shows Growth

Published on June 6, 2023 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Battle Creek Battle Jacks News Release


Rockford, IL - The Rockford Rivets defeated the Battle Creek Battle Jacks, 9-6, behind a strong finish by the Rivets both offensively and defensively.

For the fifth time this season, the Battle Creek Battle Jacks scored first. After only scoring one run in the first game of the series, Battle Creek found more success offensively tonight. In the top of the 1st, Brock Daniels (University of Missouri) hit an RBI single, driving in Payton Mazzola (Madonna University). A few moments later, Jake Allgeyer (Western Illinois) had a competitive at bat that not only resulted in an RBI single but also in driving up the pitch count of Rockford's starting pitcher so high that he had to exit the game.

"Offensively, we were much better today at the plate," said Battle Jacks Field Manager Chris Clark. "We cut the strikeouts in half, got 12 hits, and scored six runs. A much better job with runners in scoring position today as well."

The Battle Jacks' scoring bonanza continued into the 2nd inning. Battle Creek took advantage of the Rivets' bullpen with a Cam Farrar (University of Findlay) RBI single scoring Nikolas Clark (Rock Valley College) and a Daniels two-RBI double bringing in both Cooper Middleton (Kellogg Community College) and Mazzola. By the end of the away half of the 2nd inning, the Battle Jacks had a, 5-1, lead.

Rockford would then flip the game in their favor throughout the middle innings, taking the lead for the first time in the bottom of the 4th, 6-5. The Rivets held onto that lead until the top of the 7th. When Battle Creek needed a clutch play down the stretch, Jake Allgeyer answered the call. The switch-hitting junior belted a slicing RBI double into the right field corner, both scoring Dave Alleva and tying the ball game, 6-6.

Unfortunately for the Jacks, two costly errors in the bottom of the 7th inning gave the Rockford Rivets a lead that they would carry throughout the rest of the game. Although the Dogs managed one run against the Rivets in the 7th inning, the Battle Jacks have been outscored by their opponents, 17-2, in the final 3 innings of games in 2023. Despite the fact that Battle Creek has outscored their opponents, 18-5, in the first three innings, the Battle Jacks lack of production late in games is one of the main reasons for the 1-5 start to the season.

With this loss, Battle Creek finished their first road trip of the season with an 0-4 record. The good news for the Battle Jacks (1-5) is that they are back at home against a Kenosha Kingfish (2-4) team that has dropped two straight. No matter the league or the sport, it is always tougher to play on the road than at home.

"These boys are ready to get back to MCCU Field," stated Coach Clark. The players are feeling a bit beat up after this road stretch, so a chance to get healthy is huge as well. We are looking forward to being back at home."

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Northwoods League Stories from June 6, 2023


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