TRAVERSE CITY — The Traverse City Pit Spitters dropped a 4-2 decision to the Royal Oak Leprechauns.
The Leprechauns coincidentally had a lucky total of seven hits, to take three of four games against TC, with each team hosting twice.
Traverse City (3-5) drops withing a game a last place in the Great Lakes East Division, currently occupied by Kenosha (2-6).
The Spitters managed only two hits, one each from Aaron Grant (Arkansas Pine Bluff) and Jack Laffitte (Michigan) in Monday’s Northwoods League baseball game at Turtle Creek Stadium.
Noah Gerrick (Wofford) walked three times and was hit by a pitch once in his second game in a Pit Spitters uniform as TC drew 10 walks and was plunked three times in the absence of hits. Josh Stonehouse (Xavier) picked up a couple free passes and Grant had a hit, walk, and hit by pitch.
Royal Oak leadoff hitter Aamir Mitchell was 3-for-3 with a walk and a run.
TC’s Cole Van Ameyde didn’t play, but his twin brother Cash was 0-for-3 with a walk for the Leprechauns.
Jake Ickes (Northwood) started and went 4.1 innings, allowing three earned runs, one walk and striking out six. Bryce Sluiter (Texas Tech) came on for 3.2 scoreless frames of work, allowing only one hit and a walk while fanning four. Jake Brown (Central Michigan) pitched the ninth with one hit surrendered and struck out one.
Traverse City hits the road for two games in Battle Creek before returning for a two-game home set against Kalamazoo, including a day game Thursday and Friday night fireworks. TC then plays Royal for four more games, two on the road, then two at home before a rare off day June 10.