Battle Jacks kick off summer with a big win in season opener
On a lot of calendars, Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer.
For baseball fans in Battle Creek, the Battle Jacks season opener is the real beginning of summer. And on Monday, summer got off to a great start with a Battle Jacks win, accompanied by brilliant weather and a big crowd at MCCU Field at C.O. Brown Stadium.
The Battle Jacks defeated the Kokomo Jackrabbits, 15-11, opening the Northwoods League summer collegiate season in Battle Creek.
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Longtime fans Jack Cole and Jodie Cole, from Dowling, were in their Battle Jacks souvenir jerseys, with hot dogs and drinks in hand, and joined by their children and grandchildren for an evening at the park.
“It’s great to be at a game," Jack Cole said. "We’ve been coming to games out here since the Battle Cats played here. Been waiting for the season to start.”
“Yeah, it means winter is over,” Jodie Cole added with a chuckle.
In the second season as a new franchise with a new name, after more than a decade as the Battle Creek Bombers, officials were excited to see the large crowd for the home opener on the Memorial Day holiday.
“We know Memorial Day can mean a slow start for us some years, it’s usually a day-of decision for a lot of people,” Battle Jacks General Manager Denny Smith said. “But glad the community came out to support the team. We put in a lot of work to get ready for the opener this offseason, so to see these stands full is just awesome to see.”
The Jacks started fast, scoring twice in the first inning. And then the home team broke open the game on a bases-loaded double by Nick George to clear the sacks and score three runs for a 5-0 lead.
Battle Creek then added five more runs in the fourth inning to lead 12-2.
The lead held up with the effort by starting pitcher Kameron Haviland, who earned the win. Haviland played high school baseball at Bronson before going to Glen Oaks Community College and Benedictine University.
Despite the one-sided game early, Kokomo brought some excitement to the late innings by scoring six runs in the seventh to tighten the contest.
But it wouldn't be enough as the Battle Jacks were led by catcher Blake Salamon, who was 2-for-5 with five RBIs, Coltrane Rubner, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored and Brock Daniels, who was 2-for-3 with three RBIs.
The Battle Jacks will continue the season Tuesday with its traditional "School Day" 11 a.m. contest at home.
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Battle Jacks kick off summer with a big win in season opener
