Beloit Snaps Silver Hawks Hopes in Home Opener

April 8, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
South Bend Silver Hawks News Release


Ronald Herrera threw six dominant innings and second baseman Chih-Fang Pan broke the game open with a two-run double in the top of the sixth as the South Bend Silver Hawks fell to the Beloit Snappers in the home opener at Four Winds Field 5-1.

The Snappers (3-2) jumped out to an early lead with a run in the top of the first inning. Pan worked a one-out walk to get the rally started. Left fielder BJ Boyd hit a hot smash off of shortstop Andrew Velazquez's glove for a single that moved Pan around to third. First baseman Ryan Huck gave the Snappers the lead with a clean single to right that scored Pan.

Beloit, the Class-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics's, tacked on two more runs in the top of the third inning off of Hawks starter Ben Eckels (0-1). A diving Jamie Westbrook at second base was able to knock down Boyd's line drive, but he was safe with a single. Huck singled to left, putting runners on first and second with no outs. Third baseman BA Vollmuth smashed a double off the top of the left field wall that stretched the lead to 2-0 as Boyd came around to score on the play and Westbrook advanced to third. Two batters later, Westbrook also scored on a groundout to third and the Snappers took a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the third.

The game was put out of reach for the Hawks in the top of the sixth. Reliever Austin Platt replaced Eckels to start the top of the fifth and threw one scoreless inning before surrendering a couple runs in the sixth. Catcher Phil Pohl led off with a single to short and shortstop Melvin Mercedes followed with an infield single to third. A charging Joe Munoz fielded the ball cleanly, but threw wide of first allowing the runners to advance to second and third on the throwing error. After a comebacker to the mound failed to advance the runners, Pan ripped a double down the line in left to extend the lead to 5-0.

That was all the offense the Snappers would need as Herrera (1-0) held the Hawks' offense in check. He faced just two batters over the minimum through the first five innings and did not allow a runner to reach second base in those innings. The Hawks' only offense came in the bottom of the sixth inning. Centerfielder Breland Almadova crushed the first pitch he saw from Herrera into the face of a ten knot wind, way over the left-center field wall for a solo homer that provided the last run in the game.

Matt Stalcup (S, 1) relieved Herrera after his six innings of work and was dominant in the final three frames. He struck out six batters and retired the Silver Hawks in the last three innings on just 40 pitches, 29 of which were strikes.

The Hawks and Snappers will meet up again on Wednesday night at 7:05pm. Bobby Wahl (0-1, 8.10 ERA) gets the start for the Snappers while Aaron Blair (0-1, 7.50 ERA) takes the hill for the Silver Hawks. There is a Hawks magnet schedule giveaway for the first 1,000 fans. It's a Kids Eat Free Wednesday at Four Winds Field so bring the whole family to the game for free food for the kids and another spectacular fireworks show after the game.



Midwest League Stories from April 8, 2014


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