KALAMAZOO, MI –– Baseball is back in “The Zoo.”
The Kalamazoo Growlers (2-1) hosted the Lakeshore Chinooks (0-3) in their home opener on Wednesday, May 28.
The first home game of the season was also the Growlers’ first education day.
More than 3,000 students from schools across the area visited and cheered on their local team.
Scenes from the Kalamazoo Growlers home opener against the Lakeshore Chinooks at Homer Stryker Field in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. The home opener was one of the Growlers’ education days and brought in over 3000 kids from over 20 different area schools.(Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com)
Joshua Fawcett, a 13-year-old seventh grader from Galesburg-Augusta schools, nabbed the Growlers’ first home run ball of the season at Homer Stryker Field.
The homer was a two-run shot from Growlers outfielder Trevor Johnson.
“I saw it coming at us,” Fawcett said. “It hit a girl in the leg and then I got it off the ground. It’s crazy.
“It’s pretty cool, first one of the season from the Growlers, I wasn’t even expecting to do nothing today.”
Joshua Fawcett, 13, of Galesburg-Augusta schools, shows the home run ball he grabbed at the Kalamazoo Growlers home opener against the Lakeshore Chinooks at Homer Stryker Field in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. The home opener was one of the Growlers’ education days and brought in over 3000 kids from over 20 different area schools.(Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com)
Jeremiah Holder took the mound for the Growlers and delivered a gem for his first win of the season.
The Growlers found a way out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the ninth inning to end the game.
Accompanied by a strong offensive performance, the Growlers secured a 9-1 win.
The Growlers notched 10 hits.
Kalamazoo Growlers pitcher Jeremiah Holder (8) pitches ball during the Kalamazoo Growlers home opener against the Lakeshore Chinooks at Homer Stryker Field in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. The home opener was one of the Growlers’ education days and brought in over 3000 kids from over 20 different area schools.(Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com)
To see all the photos from the game visit the gallery at the top of the page or click this link.
Scenes from the Kalamazoo Growlers home opener against the Lakeshore Chinooks at Homer Stryker Field in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. The home opener was one of the Growlers’ education days and brought in over 3000 kids from over 20 different area schools.(Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com)
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