Spitters Drop Season Finale, Get Ready for Playoffs
August 14, 2022 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Traverse City Pit Spitters News Release
Traverse City, MI - The Traverse City Pit Spitters fell in the final game of the 2022 regular season to the Kokomo Jackrabbits, 11-7 on Saturday night.
They finish with a record of 45-27, going 27-9 in the second half. This year's team won the second most games ever in a 36-game second half, trailing only the 29 wins by the 2019 Pit Spitter team. Their 45 wins and .625 winning percentage are both fourth most throughout the entire 22 team league.
The Jackrabbits went out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the third, all runs being unearned. In the bottom half, Evan Orzech doubled home the opening run. He came around to score on Brennen Dorighi's RBI groundout to make it 4-2.
Kokomo put up three more in the next two innings to make it 7-2. In the bottom of the fifth, Trey Truitt came home to score on a wild pitch. Later in the inning, Colin Summerhill hit a no-doubt three-run home run to left field, cutting the deficit to one. He took the team-lead in home runs and became just the fourth Pit Spitter to register a 50-RBI season.
The Jackrabbits wouldn't let up, however, scoring four more runs in the top of the sixth. The Spitters got one run back in the bottom of the seventh on a bases loaded walk, but they would leave the bases loaded. They went hitless the last two innings in the loss.
Coby Greiner retired all seven batters he faced out of the bullpen, striking out three. Hayden Jatczak followed that by striking out the side in the ninth. The dominant pitching was too little too late, though, as the offense didn't respond late.
Regular Season Stat Leaders
= franchise rank
Offense
Colin Summerhill: .311 AVG (3rd), 51 RBI (3rd), 4 home runs (T-3rd), 16 doubles (T-2nd)
Camden Traficante: 57 runs (1st), 28 stolen bases (T-1st), 11 hit-by-pitch (T-2nd), 65 hits (T-4th), 48 walks (4th)
Alec Atkinson: 28 stolen bases (T-1st)
Trey Truitt III: 3 triples
Starters (min. 35 IP)
Derek Clark: 4 wins, 2.38 ERA (5th), 0.79 WHIP, 9.94 K/9
Aren Gustafson: 55.2 IP (5th), 50 strikeouts (1st)
Aaron Forrest: 4 wins, 11 starts, only pitcher with complete game and shutout (July 26 v Battle Creek)
Relievers (min. 15 IP)
Mitch White: 1.75 ERA, 5 saves (3rd), 21 appearances (3rd), 1.05 WHIP
Ryan Insco: 4 wins, 36.2 IP
Anthony Ramirez: 46 strikeouts, 12.10 K/9
Box Score
Up Next
The Pit Spitters take on the Kalamazoo Growlers in the first round of the 2022 Northwoods League Playoffs. Game one is in Kalamazoo on Sunday, first pitch 5:05. Games two and three (if necessary) will be Monday and Tuesday in Traverse City, both starting at 7:05.
Northwoods League Stories from August 14, 2022
- Huskies Take Game One - Duluth Huskies
- Rox Fall in Playoff Opener, Return Home Looking to Force Game Three - St. Cloud Rox
- Stingers Take Game One, 6-5 - Willmar Stingers
- Rafters Take Game One of 2022 Northwoods League Playoffs - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Woodchucks Drop First Playoff Game - Wausau Woodchucks
- Spitters Squander Early Lead, Drop Game One - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Letter from Battle Jacks Owner Brian Colopy - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
- Honkers Lose Season Finale to Express - Rochester Honkers
- Larks Celebrate Great Season in Final Game - Bismarck Larks
- Mankato Picks up 40th Win against la Crosse in Season Finale - Mankato MoonDogs
- Spitters Drop Season Finale, Get Ready for Playoffs - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Stingers Overcome Six Run Deficit to Win Season Finale - Willmar Stingers
- Rafters Finish Regular Season with a Loss in Fondy - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
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