Rockford Falls in Game Two, Playoff Push Comes to an End
Published on August 6, 2026 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Rockford Rivets News Release
ROCKFORD, IL - The Rockford Rivets (18-15) took on the Traverse City Pit Spitters (22-12) on Thursday night for the series finale of game two. Traverse City dominated in game one, earning 11 runs on 14 hits.
The Pit Spitters found more success, defeating the Rivets 7-1 to finish the sweep. Rockford totaled just three hits on offense, while allowing 13 to Traverse City.
Lefty pitcher Gus Allred (University of Northern Colorado) made his seventh start of the season and ninth total appearance. Through seven total innings, Allred allowed six runs on seven hits, with two strikeouts.
The Pit Spitters got off to a fast start, putting two runners on with two outs. A single to left field nearly put the first run on the board, but Joey Appino (Carroll University) made the throw to third base to tag the runner out and end the inning.
In the top of the third, Traverse City didn't leave anything up to chance this time around. A two-run homer over the left field wall made it a 2-0 lead, totaling six hits through three innings.
Rockford went the first three innings without a hit, going into the fourth. Appino was able to reach first after an infield error, giving the Screws their first base runner of the game. Keith Eusebio (Paradise Valley CC) came up big, breaking the hitless streak with an RBI single to right field, scoring Appino from first to make it 2-1.
The Pit Spitters responded in the top of the sixth, beginning with a leadoff single. Another two-run blast gave them a three-run lead, this time a shot to right field.
The Screws continued to struggle offensively, as Traverse City kept their foot on the gas with a three-run top of the eighth to extend the lead, 7-1.
Through eight innings, the Rivets earned just one total hit. The Pit Spitters struck out the Screws nine total times, not allowing an momentum on offense.
In the bottom of the ninth, Rockford put two runners on with two outs, looking to begin a massive final-inning comeback. Unfortunately for the Rivets, a final fly out would end the game, putting the playoff push to an end.
The Rivets will return to action tomorrow at 6:35 p.m. against the Lakeshore Chinooks. They'll then head back home to Rockford for their final game of the season.
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