BATTLE CREEK, MI — The Battle Creek Battle Jacks continued their dominant offence, winning their second consecutive game 8-5 over the Traverse City Pit Spitters on Tuesday. Traverse City struck first as they took an early lead during the top of the second off Jackson Militello’s home run to begin the inning. However, this lead did not last long, as the Battle Jacks came firing back in the bottom of the third as they tied the game at one off of Jake Stedman’s RBI single with two runners on base. The fifth inning saw Battle Creek take their first lead of the night, as Jake Stedman’s second RBI of the contest pulled the Battle Jacks ahead. The sixth inning saw a combined seven runs between the two teams, with the Pit Spitters scoring three to take a brief 4-2 lead. But the Battle Jacks exploded for offence during the bottom half of the inning, scoring four runs. Heading into the seventh inning, the Battle Jacks held onto a 6-4 lead with Jake Stedman adding his third RBI of the night. The seventh inning saw the Battle Jacks add some insurance runs, scoring two to extend the lead to four. The Pit Spitters added a run in the ninth to close the lead to three; however, this proved to not be enough as they attempted to mount a comeback. The Battle Jacks finished the game with ten hits, along with one error. Anthony Sanchez lasted five innings, throwing 96 pitches, while striking out three. Nathan Harb came into relief and pitched two innings, while Payton Pundez came in to close the game. The Battle Jacks are back in action on Wednesday at 7:05 pm, as they look to close out their series with the Traverse City Pit Spitters with a victory.

ROCKFORD, IL — The Battle Creek Battle Jacks turned in one of their most complete performance of the season on Monday night, defeating the Rockford Rivets 14-8 one day after falling to the Rivets in the series opener on Sunday. The Battle Jacks got the bats going early in the contest, scoring a run in the top of the first on Thomas Cooper’s RBI single. This was foreshadowing for a great night to come as solid pitching and hitting powered Battle Creek to victory. Craig Kabat had a solid outing on the mound, pitching five innings, giving up only three hits, and striking out six. The bats stayed silent on both ends before the Battle Jacks erupted for five in the fourth inning. The Battle Jacks chased starting pitcher Caden Vogt, while also getting to George Gouriotis in the same inning. RBI’s from Thomas Cooper, AJ Lucas, Jacob Schott, Brendan Thompson, and Christian Lopez blew the game wide open as the Battle Jacks cruised to a 6-0 lead. The sixth inning saw scoring on both ends of the plate, but with the Battle Jacks doing most of the damage, adding six more runs to their score, with lots of players contributing to the scoring as they soared out to a 12-0 lead. The Rivets came back in the bottom half of the inning, scoring three to narrow the lead to 12-3; however, this proved not to be enough as the Battle Jacks kept on rolling as the game went on. The Battle Jacks added to the lead in the eighth inning as Brady LaViolette and Brendan Thompson pulled the Jacks out to a 14-3 lead. The Rivets showed some fight in the final inning of the game scoring five to close the game to narrow the lead down to six as they trailed 14-8. Battle Creek finished the night with 15 hits and three errors. The Battle Jacks are back in action on Tuesday as they head back home for a four game homestand hosting the Traverse City Pit Spitters and the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters.

Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images | David Kirouac-Imagn Images Toronto Maple Leafs young star Easton Cowan is being listed as questionable ahead of the Toronto Marlies game three of the Eastern Conference Finals. Cowan missed game two against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, while Marlies head coach John Gruden explained on the 21-year-old's status heading into Monday night. Easton Cowan's status remains unknown "He's still questionable, upper body. If he's 100 percent, he'll be going. We want to make sure, first and foremost, that he's healthy. If he's healthy, he'll play, and if he's not healthy, at 100 percent, we'll keep him out for another game." Gruden said on Monday. Cowan has played a key role in the Marlies' road to the Eastern Conference, as they hold a 2-0 lead over the Penguins. Despite not playing in game two, he has still made an impact during the series, scoring in the Marlies' 4-2 victory in game one. With the Marlies up in the series, they have made it clear they are not willing to risk Cowan's injury worsening, ensuring he gets the rest he needs as the postseason continues. The London Knights product tested how he felt during the morning skate on Monday; however, his status remains unknown heading into the game. "From what I understand, he's going to give it a shot, and then we'll just see where he's at. We're going to make sure he's 100 percent healthy, and if he is, he'll be in, and if he's not, hopefully it won't be long after that." Gruden later added. Gruden has players who can fill Cowan's shoes Gruden also understands there are many players within the system who will be able to fill his shoes and play productive minutes throughout the lineup. "I think Landon Sim has done a really good job; we've had Borya Valis in there. You got to find out what works with each line. There's a lot to be excited about if Cowan is in, obviously a huge boost to us. But if he's not, it's next man up mentality, and it'll be someone else's opportunity." Time will tell if Cowan is in good shape to play or if he will be held out another night. With the Marlies in the series and the injury not being sevre, it may be the correct decision to leave him out of the lineup for game three.

BATTLE CREEK, MI — The Battle Creek Battle Jacks lost on Friday night against the Kalamazoo Growlers 9-3. The Kalamazoo Growlers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on Friday in the first inning as they crossed home plate off an error by catcher Brady LaViolette. The Growlers extended their lead in the second inning on a wild pitch, allowing Mitchell Morton to score and give Kalamazoo a 2-0 advantage. An RBI single from Bryce Adams extended the lead for the Growlers in the second as they took a 3-0 lead. The Growlers kept on coming through three innings of play, as an RBI single by Mitchell Morton built on their lead to make it a 4-0 game. The Battle Jacks threatened in the bottom half of the third as Sonnier Moses advanced to third; however, the Battle Jacks were not able to convert. The fourth inning saw the Battle Jacks and Chris Fletcher switch their third pitcher of the night, as the Growlers took a commanding 5-0 lead. The Battle Jacks got on the board in the fifth as an RBI sac fly from AJ Lucas drove in a run to cut the lead down to 5-1. The Growlers’ offence showed no mercy as they added three more runs in the top half of the fifth to take a commanding 8-1 lead. The Battle Jacks gained some momentum in the fifth, as they loaded the bases with zero outs but were unable to capitalize as they headed into the sixth down by seven. The sixth inning, saw the Growlers kept rolling as Case Sullivan sac fly gave Kalamazoo a 9-1 lead. The Battle Jacks showed some fight in the bottom of the sixth scoring two runs highlighted by Brendan Thompson two RBI single. Battle Creek finished the night with nine hits, and four errors. The Battle Jacks are back in action, on Sunday at 4:35 pm as they head down to Rockford for a two game set against the Rivets.

Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images The Toronto Maple Leafs are heading into their first offseason where they have missed the postseason since 2016, with a disappointing season, the Maple Leafs are expected to make major changes to their roster, with some that have the ability to alter the future. Auston Matthews has been a big point of conversation this summer, with reports mentioning he is not able to commit to the Maple Leafs long-term, to later saying that his initial meeting with general manager John Chayka and senior executive advisor Mats Sundin went well. If the Maple Leafs and Matthews were to go down the road of him being traded in the near future, Pierre LeBrun reports that there is one team that can stand above the rest in the Auston Matthews sweepstakes. Which team could make a good run at Auston Matthews? “If Auston Matthews watches the Toronto Maple Leafs’ offseason play out over the next five or six weeks and decides he’s not sure they are still a contender and says he’s open to a move, I would venture to guess Anaheim would be on his list of seven or eight potential desired landing spots. And the Ducks would have the pieces to make it work in a larger package." LeBrun wrote on The Athletic. He later continued explaining who the Maple Leafs would target in return if they were to attempt to make a deal with the Ducks. “One player who fits that criteria is 23-year-old forward Mason McTavish, which is a little obvious after he was scratched for two playoff games. I have zero evidence to suggest the Anaheim Ducks are the ones picking up the phone and calling teams about him. But I know for a fact that several teams have inquired about him.” LeBrun later added. This blockbuster trade makes sense for the Ducks The Ducks are a young and up-and-coming team that has a bright future. They qualified for the playoffs this past season for the first time since 2017-18, winning a playoff round for the first time since 2016-17. They also have a young core to build around, including Leo Carlsson, Beckett Sennecke, Cutter Gauthier, Jackson LaCombe, and Olen Zellweger. The Ducks are going to be a very good hockey team for a long time, and adding a player like Auston Matthews could be what they need to reach the next level. LeBrun later added that this trade will likely not happen this offseason, and he isn't sure about when the timeline of an Auston Matthews trade would occur. “All things being equal, I think it’s more likely No. 34 stays in Toronto for at least another season, but it’s just an example of the kind of scenario that the Ducks could potentially see come their way.” If anything is for certain is that there will be major changes in Toronto, whether that is this offseason or over the course of the next couple of years. Could Auston Matthews truly be traded? I guess we are going to have to wait and see what the future holds.

Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images | Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to make significant changes this offseason, and one player whose future with the organization continues to come into question is Morgan Rielly. Rielly remains under contract through the 2029-30 season with an annual cap hit of $7.5 million, while his game has declined greatly over the past two seasons. Many are not sure whether teams will be willing to take on his entire contract; however, there are reports that he can be moved. Rielly also holds a non-movement clause, which will make this trade significantly tougher for the Maple Leafs. Chris Johnston believes Morgan Rielly can be traded this offseason Chris Johnston certainly believes the Maple Leafs will move on from the longest-tenured Maple Leaf, as he landed fifth on the insiders' offseason trade big board. "With a new management group running the front office and a new coaching staff soon to be hired, this is a time of change in Toronto. That means the writing is on the wall for Rielly, the Leafs’ longest-tenured player, who has previously been unwilling to consider waiving his no-movement clause but has since softened on that stance. He still controls the process because of that mechanism in his contract, but a fresh start is looking increasingly likely." Johnston writes. Johnston also believes he will gain interest from other teams, as people still think he can be a serviceable defenseman in the NHL. Many Leafs fans understand that it is not entirely true. "While Rielly’s skating isn’t the separator it once was, he possesses strong puck skills and can help drive a team offensively," Johnston writes. "He’s also a high-character player who should be viewed as a dressing room asset." A new era in Maple Leafs hockey ahead Moving on from Morgan Rielly can be crucial for the newly appointed general manager, as it would free up cap space they could use to address areas that need improvement if the Maple Leafs are going to return to contention next season. If Rielly didn't make close to the number he did, you can justify keeping him on the roster; however, that is not the case. If a Morgan Rielly trade were to transpire this offseason, it would mark the end of an era for one of the franchise’s longest-tenured players. Since being drafted fifth overall in 2012, Rielly has been a big part of this organization through both rebuilding years and playoff disappointments.

BATTLE CREEK, MI — The Battle Creek Battle Jacks defeated the Richmond Flying Mummies in the team’s home opener on Wednesday in dominating fashion, winning 6-2. The Battle Jacks struck early, capitalizing with the bases loaded as Owen Larrigan crossed the plate on a passed ball, taking a 1-0 lead through two innings. The Flying Mummies answered back in the top of the third inning, scoring two runs to take a 2-1 lead over the Battle Jacks. The Battle Jacks scored in the fourth inning as Abraham Maurer crossed home plate to tie the game 2-2 following an RBI single from first baseman AJ Lucas. Both offences went quiet in the middle stages of the game, while strong defensive plays from the Battle Jacks helped them escape the sixth inning and keep the game tied at 2-2. The Battle Jacks blew the game wide open in the seventh, taking a commanding 6-2 lead. The Jacks scored off an error, followed by a wild pitch, leading to Brady LaViolette stealing home to extend the lead. The Jacks kept the offence rolling in the eighth, bringing home six more runs, highlighted by a two RBI single by Hunter Morgan, and an RBI double by AJ Lucas to take a 12-2. Richmond showed some fight in the ninth as they scored off a two RBI double from Landen Fry to cut the lead down to 12-4. The Battle Jacks are back in action on Thursday at 11:00 am, as they look to extend their winning streak to four against the Richmond Flying Mummies at MCCU Field.

Photo Credit: Riya Amin BATTLE CREEK, MI — The Battle Jacks lost their first game of the regular season 9-5 against the Richmond Flying Mummies on Education Day at MCCU Field. The Bats were hot to begin Education Day at MCCU Field, as both teams exploded for offence straight from the beginning of the game. The Flying Mummies jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, but the Battle Jacks responded with two runs in the bottom half of the inning, highlighted by Hunter Morgan’s inside-the-park home run. The second inning saw much of the same from the Flying Mummies as they added four more runs to burst out to a 7-2 lead, chasing starting pitcher Ben Kochany. The Battle Jacks answered in the bottom half of the inning, cutting the deficit to 7-3 on an RBI single from AJ Lucas. The Flying Mummies continued their offensive momentum in the third inning, adding another run in the top half of the frame. The offence began to slow as the score remained 8-3 through five innings in Battle Creek. The Battle Jacks threatened in the bottom half of the sixth, loading the bases with one out, but a double play ended the inning, as Battle Creek trailed 8-3 heading into the seventh. The Flying Mummies added an insurance run during the eighth inning extending the lead to 9-3. The Battle Jacks responded and showed fight in the bottom half of the eighth inning to cut the lead to 9-5. The Battle Jacks are back in action on Friday as they head to Kalamazoo to face the Growlers in a double header with the first game beginning at 10:35 am, followed by a 6:35 first pitch in the second portion of the day.

BATTLE CREEK, MI — The Battle Creek Battle Jacks defeated the Richmond Flying Mummies in the team’s home opener on Wednesday in dominating fashion, winning 6-2. The Battle Jacks struck early, capitalizing with the bases loaded as Owen Larrigan crossed the plate on a passed ball, taking a 1-0 lead through two innings. The Flying Mummies answered back in the top of the third inning, scoring two runs to take a 2-1 lead over the Battle Jacks. The Battle Jacks scored in the fourth inning as Abraham Maurer crossed home plate to tie the game 2-2 following an RBI single from first baseman AJ Lucas. Both offences went quiet in the middle stages of the game, while strong defensive plays from the Battle Jacks helped them escape the sixth inning and keep the game tied at 2-2. The Battle Jacks blew the game wide open in the seventh, taking a commanding 6-2 lead. The Jacks scored off an error, followed by a wild pitch, leading to Brady LaViolette stealing home to extend the lead. The Jacks kept the offence rolling in the eighth, bringing home six more runs, highlighted by a two RBI single by Hunter Morgan, and an RBI double by AJ Lucas to take a 12-2. Richmond showed some fight in the ninth as they scored off a two RBI double from Landen Fry to cut the lead down to 12-4. The Battle Jacks are back in action on Thursday at 11:00 am, as they look to extend their winning streak to four against the Richmond Flying Mummies at MCCU Field.

ROYAL OAK, MI — The Battle Creek Battle Jacks closed out the two-game set against the Royal Oak Leprechauns with a 1-0 win on Tuesday at Memorial Park. For the second consecutive day, this proved to be a pitching duel between Battle Jacks starting pitcher Craig Kabat and Cal Rutherford for the Leprechauns. Kabat struck out the side during the first inning and continued his strong play, dealing two more in the top half of the second. The third inning saw the lone run of the game as the Battle Jacks scored in the top half of the inning, as Sonner Moses drove in the game-winning run. Abel Ortiz came into the contest to end the fourth and built off the strong start of Kobat. Ortiz closed out the game for the Battle Jacks, securing their second straight victory. A strong defensive play by Hunter Morgan led to a double play to end the seventh inning, and got the Battle Jacks out of the bases loaded. The Battle Jacks are back in action on Wednesday as they host the Richmond Flying Mummies in the team’s home opener at 7:05 pm.