TRAVERSE CITY — It’s playoff time in Traverse City.
A three-run outburst in the third inning helped propel the Traverse City Pit Spitters (19-13) over the Battle Creek Battle Jacks 5-3 to clinch the Great Lakes East Division’s first-half championship.
But it wasn’t without drama.
Battle Creek scored three runs in the sixth inning to cut into Traverse City’s lead, 4-3.
The Pit Spitters would add an insurance run in the eighth inning.
Traverse City got out of the ninth inning thanks to a save from Eliot Traver to send Traverse City to the playoffs for the first time since 2023.
Nic Mirabella earned the win (3-1) in six innings pitched while allowing two hits and three runs. Mirabella threw five scoreless innings to start the contest and struck out four. Ciaran Caughey came in for two innings, allowing two hits and striking out four.
A magnificent Pit Spitter third inning was started with an Alfredo Velazquez walk, followed by an Aaron Piasecki single to right field. Grady Mee and Isaac Sturgess each singled to knock in Velazquez and Piasecki. Cade Collins knocked in a crucial double to get the third run across home plate.
After the Battle Jacks scored three runs in the sixth, a shutout seventh inning led into an intense eighth, with the season on the line. For both teams.
Pit Spitter third baseman Colton Roquemore hit a sacrifice fly to score Collins for a 5-3 lead.
Traver came in the top of the ninth with Traverse City on his back and managed a 1-2-3 inning to seal the Battle Jacks’ fate.
Traverse City had 11 hits on the night, with only four by the Battle Jacks.
Turtle Creek Stadium was rocking with 3,053 Pit Spitter fans cheering on the home team.
Piasecki was 2-for-4 with a run and RBI, Brett Rozman had a run and RBI and Adam Broski drove in a run.
The Pit Spitters defeated Battle Creek 11-9 Sunday and have been on a tear, going 8-2 in the last 10 games to send Traverse City dancing into the postseason.