Yarnall is Grand as Schaefer and Kalamazoo Growlers Lock Down Chinooks

July 15, 2015 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Kalamazoo Growlers News Release

MEQUON, WI - Nick Yarnall (Pittsburgh) launched a grand slam in the third inning, and that was all the offense Cole Schaefer (Costal Carolina) and the bullpen needed as the Kalamazoo Growlers topped the Lakeshore Chinooks 4-2 on Tuesday night at Kapco Park.

With no score through two innings, John Soteropulos (California) drew a leadoff walk to begin the third. Marquise Gill (Eastern Michigan) and Justin Fletcher (Northern Illinois) followed with back-to-back singles to load up the bases, bringing up Yarnall (Pittsburgh) two batters later. The Landisville, PA native jumped on a 1-0 pitch from Kevin Long (Lehigh) and sent a rocket out to right field that fought the wind coming in from Lake Michigan and just poked over the fence. The grand slam was Yarnall's fifth home run of the season and second in as many days to give the Growlers (5-11, 13-36) a 4-0 lead.

Schaefer (2-1) used the cushion to cruise through 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk. Portage Central's own struck out four on 80 pitches to earn his second victory in 10 days over the Chinooks (7-11, 24-26).

Lakeshore chased Schaefer from the game in the sixth when Jack Benninghoff (Arkansas) brought home two runs on a double. TJ Cerven (KVCC/GVSU) then came on with a strikeout and a snag of an Anthony Massicci (Canisius) line drive to end the frame. Nathan Coakley (St. Francis, IN) relieved Cerven in the seventh and forced Colby Fitch (Louisville) to ground into an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play.

Coakley handed the baton off to Nick Wernke (West Virginia) for a four-out save in the eighth. Wernke froze Massicci to strand two in the eighth inning, then after issuing a couple walks in the ninth, Fitch again bounced into a double play, this one of the 6-4-3 variety to end the ballgame. The save was Wernke's fifth of the summer.

Long (1-2) took the loss after allowing four runs on six hits in five innings. Parker Sanburn (Arkansas) and Jack Landwehr (Illinois State) combined to keep the Growlers off the board for the final four innings.

Fletcher singled for three of Kalamazoo's 10 hits in the game. Bryce Adams (Delgado College/LSU) had two hits, while Soteropulos reached base in all five of his trips to the plate (single, two walks, two hit-by-pitches).

Benninghoff doubled twice for Lakeshore, while Doug Kraeger (Richmond) doubled and scored and Zarley Zalewski (Kent State) picked up two hits.

Both teams had plenty of chances to add to their run total but fell victim to lockdown pitching. The Growlers left 15 men on base and the Chinooks came close by leaving 14 aboard.

Kalamazoo's win is its first official victory on the road since a 5-1 six-inning decision in Wisconsin Rapids on June 8. The team's July 1 win at Madison has since been vacated.

The Growlers try for the sweep of the Chinooks on Wednesday night. First pitch from Kapco Park is set for 7:35 p.m. EDT.

Nick Yarnall of the Kalamazoo Growlers

Northwoods League Stories from July 15, 2015

• Kingfish Swept in Wausau Despite Late Surge - Kenosha Kingfish
• Huskies Take Fifth Victory in a Row - Duluth Huskies
• Bogucki, Ramirez Navigate Mallards to Series Split with Rafters - Madison Mallards
• Chinooks Wallop Kalamazoo Growlers, Salvage Split at Lakeshore - Kalamazoo Growlers
• Chinooks Blow Out Kalamazoo - Lakeshore Chinooks
• Honkers Tripped up in Thunder Bay - Rochester Honkers
• Stingers Washed out in St. Cloud - Willmar Stingers
• Wednesday's Game Versus Willmar Suspended Due to Unplayable Conditions - St. Cloud Rox
• Bullfrogs Raise Money for Old Glory Honor Flight - Green Bay Rockers
• Rafters Aim to Bring the Bark against the Mallards - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
• Bullfrogs Seek Split Tonight in Duluth - Green Bay Rockers
• Mallards Look to Overcome Rafters in Series Finale - Madison Mallards
• Yarnall is Grand as Schaefer and Kalamazoo Growlers Lock Down Chinooks - Kalamazoo Growlers
• Stingers Wind up on Short End of Pitcher's Duel in Loss to Rox - Willmar Stingers
• Rafters Keep It Rolling with Win over Mallards - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters

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.

Other Recent Kalamazoo Growlers Stories

• Bats Go Silent in Growlers' 4-0 Loss to Pit Spitters
• Growlers Tab Late Rally in 6-2 Win in Traverse City
• Kalamazoo Pitching Stays Strong in 5-1 Victory over Kenosha
• Growlers Pitching Excels in 4-1 Victory over Kingfish
• Growlers Leave Runs on Table in 3-2 Defeat Versus Kingfish