MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

10-run first powers Whitecaps in Season Opener

Published on April 3, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


SOUTH BEND, IN - Thirteen batters came to the plate in the first inning as the Whitecaps jumped out to a 10-0 lead before the Silver Hawks had a chance to bat, en route to a 15-2 thumping.

Ramon Garcia held the South Bend offense scoreless through six innings before the ‘Hawks tallied two runs in the eighth off reliever Kelvin Cedano. Kyle Peter and Justin Henry, the top two batters in the West Michigan lineup each scored three times, including twice each in the first inning. Henry drove in three runs while Peter, Casper Wells, Chris Carlson and Audy Ciriaco each had 2 RBI for the ‘Caps. All nine of the Whitecaps position players scored and all but one had a hit.

South Bend pitchers issued eight walks, including four by Norberto, who left the game after one inning. Seven of the ten runs in the first inning were unearned thanks to a dropped ball by first baseman Mike Mee, who was trying to catch a throw by second baseman Eli Rumler on a two-out ground ball by Kody Kaiser.

West Michigan equaled its team record for runs on Opening Day (15-4 win at Lansing on April 5, 2001) and the Whitecaps flirted with what would have been their most lopsided shutout victory ever, had the 15-0 lead held. Two runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth pushed the lead to 15.

Clayton Conner and Ramon Ramirez each drove in runs with hits for South Bend. Thursday marked the first time since 2004 that the Whitecaps have won a season opener (11-3 at Dayton, April 8, 2004).

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