Six-Run Seventh Powers Pit Spitters Past Battle Creek
Northwoods Traverse City Pit Spitters

Six-Run Seventh Powers Pit Spitters Past Battle Creek

Published on August 7, 2026 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Traverse City Pit Spitters News Release


Traverse City, MO - The Traverse City Pit Spitters carried a one-run lead into the bottom of the seventh before erupting for six runs, powering a 9-6 victory over the Battle Creek Battle Jacks on the final Fireworks Friday of 2026 at Turtle Creek Stadium.

A season-high crowd of 4,515 was on hand for Traverse City's second-to-last game of the summer.

Despite the victory, Royal Oak's win over Kalamazoo eliminated the Pit Spitters from postseason contention. Traverse City will miss the Northwoods League playoffs for just the second time in franchise history since beginning play in 2019.

The Pit Spitters opened the scoring in the first inning when Cade Collins delivered an RBI double.

Battle Creek answered with two runs in the fifth, taking a 2-1 lead against Traverse City starter Caleb Kidd. Kidd completed 4.2 innings, allowing two earned runs while striking out five.

Traverse City immediately responded in the bottom half.

Noah Gerrick tied the game with an RBI double before Jacob Kucharczyk followed with a run-scoring single, putting the Pit Spitters back in front 3-2.

Jake Ickes took over on the mound and delivered 2.1 scoreless innings, preserving the one-run advantage until the offense broke the game open in the seventh.

Kucharczyk began the six-run rally with his second RBI single of the night.

Sean Martinez then cleared the bases with a three-run triple before Lucas Grantham followed on the very next swing with his first home run of the summer, a two-run shot that extended the Traverse City lead to 9-2.

Battle Creek scored twice in both the eighth and ninth innings against Jake Brown and Charlie Wolf, but the Pit Spitters held on for the 9-6 victory.

The win was Traverse City's 23rd of the second half and 44th overall this season.

The Pit Spitters improved to 9-2 against Battle Creek this summer and will close the season against the Battle Jacks on Saturday night at Turtle Creek Stadium.

First pitch for the 2026 season finale is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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