COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps used timely hitting and some magical defense to defeat the Lake County Captains 9-8 on Princess night in front of 5,687 fans Friday night at LMCU Ballpark.
All but one ‘Caps hitter reached base as West Michigan finished 6-for-13 with runners in
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps used timely hitting and some magical defense to defeat the Lake County Captains 9-8 on Princess night in front of 5,687 fans Friday night at LMCU Ballpark.
All but one ‘Caps hitter reached base as West Michigan finished 6-for-13 with runners in scoring position, including four extra-base hits. Meanwhile, Whitecaps outfielder Brady Allen had a home run-robbing catch in right field to help West Michigan secure the victory.
Both teams scored in the first inning, as Captains third baseman Dayan Frias lifted a sacrifice fly before the ‘Caps collected four runs in the bottom half – highlighted by an RBI double from Roberto Campos – taking the 4-1 lead. The Whitecaps scored again in the third as a passed ball plated Allen from third before Lake County scored a run on a wild pitch in the fourth, trimming the lead to 5-2. West Michigan exploded for four runs again in the fourth inning – featuring a solo home run from the Detroit Tigers #1 prospect Jace Jung – as the lead ballooned to 9-2. Lake County continued to chip away as first baseman Junior Sanquintin roped a two-run double in the sixth inning before outfielders Jake Fox and Joe Lampe added RBIs in the seventh to cut the advantage to 9-6. Lake County brought the potential go-ahead run to the plate in the ninth after a two-run single from Lampe. Still, they couldn’t capitalize, as Whitecaps closer Chavez Fernander induced a flyout to seal the nail-biting 9-8 victory.
The Whitecaps improve to 24-19 remain four games behind the Great Lakes Loons for first place in the Midwest League East division. The Captains fall to 22-21. Whitecaps reliever Williander Moreno (3-0) recorded the final out of the second inning to secure his third win as Fernander collected his third save. Captains starter Ethan Hankins (0-3) suffers his third loss, allowing four runs through 1.2 innings pitched. With Jung’s homer, the Whitecaps now lead the Midwest League in home runs with 43 on the year.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps play the penultimate contest of this six-game series with the Lake County Captains Saturday night LMCU Ballpark at 7:05pm. Lefty Jack O’Loughlin battles righty Tommy Mace for the ‘Caps and Captains. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Nate Wangler begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:50 pm. Get your tickets for all 2023 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.