Bombers Beat – The Winning Continues, So Does the Rain

Even with rain changing the plans of three games, the Battle Creek Bombers have made the most of their week with a couple of winning streaks. Among the wins was a large come-from-behind victory in extra innings and a double-header sweep of one of their rivals. Here's a look at the week's recap --

Monday, June 10^th - Battle Creek 6, (at) Kenosha 2
A pair of late two-run innings extended the Bomb Squad's winning streak to three games to complete the road sweep against the Kingfish. John Malcom (Vanderbilt) drove in three runs on the night, including his first homer of the season, part of a 2-for-3 night. Beaux Bonvillain (Central Oklahoma) tossed two scoreless innings and earned the win in relief to tally his first victory on the season.

Tuesday, June 11^th - Kalamazoo 6, (at) Battle Creek 2
The rivalry returned to C.O. Brown Stadium but the Growlers would take the win on the road, putting up a four-spot in the seventh inning. The Bombers got out to a quick start, scoring a run in each of the first two innings. Roy Thurman (Akron) drove in a run on a sacrifice fly. Kelby Weyler (Lamar) had two hits from the lead-off spot. Ping-Chun Ho (Barry College) took the loss, allowing three runs in his lone inning of work.

Wednesday, June 12^th - (at) Battle Creek 12, Kalamazoo 6 - Game 1
The scheduled twinbill started in the afternoon at C.O. Brown with the Bomb Squad putting up six runs in the first four innings, cushioned with two more three-run innings late to return to the winner's column. Thurman pounded out four runs on a 4-for-5 afternoon, including a solo homer in the fourth. Josh Sears (Freed Hardeman) also had four hits. One of the returning Bombers, Walter Talcott (Earlham College) picked up the win on the mound, allowing three runs in 5 2/3 innings and striking out eight. Burrell Jones (Wabash Valley College) pitched a perfect ninth for his second save on the season.

Wednesday, June 12^th - (at) Battle Creek 1, Kalamazoo 0 - Game 2
The nightcap was a tougher battle, but the Bombers pulled it out in the eighth with the game's only run. Sears had half of the Bombers four hits and drove in the lone run. Mitchell Lee (Lamar) earned his first win on the year in relief, striking out five in the final two innings.

Thursday, June 13^th - Battle Creek at Kalamazoo - Rain Out
The Bombers and Growlers were set to wrap up their four-game, three-day series at Homer Stryker Field, but rain washed the finale. It will now be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader on the 4 ^th of July.

Friday, June 14^th - (at) Battle Creek 8, Rockford 7 - 11 innings
A six-run ninth inning put the Bombers into extra innings, with a Rhett McCall (Lamar) RBI single in extra innings to push the Bombers into their third straight win. Thurman continued his hot week, going 2-for-5 and driving in three runs in the ninth with his second homer on the season. Jack Merrfield (LSU-Eunice) had four hits on the night. Jordan Rhodes (McDaniel College) was given the win in relief

Saturday, June 15^th - Rockford at Battle Creek - Rain Out
The Bombers and Rivets finale was washed due to rain late in the afternoon. The game will be made up in a back-to-back doubleheader on June 25^th beginning at 4:05pm.

Sunday, June 16^th - Kenosha 3, (at) Battle Creek 2
The excitement from Friday couldn't carry over to Father's Day, as the Bombers managed just three hits. The game was also delayed five hours due to rain. Sears had a solo homer, his second round tripper on the season. Malcom had the other two hits. A few days after picking up the win, Rhodes took the loss, allowing the game winning run in relief in the seventh inning.

The Northwoods League is now in full swing. The Great Lakes Conference East Division first half race is heating up with the Bombers recent success. Here is a look at the standings.

Notes
- John Malcom currently holds the best batting average this season. Through 18 games he sits at .324, good for a tie for 24^th in the Northwoods League.

- Kelby Weyler is fifth in the Northwoods in runs scored with 19. He is just six runs behind Sam Beier of the Willmar Stingers for the league lead. Weyler is also sixth in the league in walks with 18, three behind two players for the league's best.

- Pitchers Ty Shoaff (Notre Dame College) and Walter Talcott are among the Northwoods' best in strikouts. Shoaff has 20 K's through four games (three starts) and Talcott has 18 in three starts. Kokomo Jackrabbit Blaine Traxel has 27 to lead the league.

- The Bombers were last in the Northwoods in hitting before last week's action. They are starting to hit the ball, jumping their team average up 18 points to .217. It's good for 20^th out of 22 teams. The pitching staff has helped with keeping them in games, holding opponents to a 3.60 earned run average. That is 7^th best in the league.

The Upcoming Week - Home games in Bold
Monday, June 17^th - Bombers vs. Kenosha - 7:05pm
Tuesday, June 18^th - Bombers at Rockford - 7:35pm
Wednesday, June 19^th - Bombers at Rockford - 7:35pm
Thursday, June 20^th - Bombers vs. Traverse City - 7:05pm (Thirsty Thursday)
Friday, June 21^st - Bombers vs. Traverse City - 7:05pm
Saturday, June 22^nd - Bombers at Kokomo - 7:05pm
Sunday, June 23^rd - Bombers at Kokomo - 1:05pm