MWL Lake County Captains

Captains Conquer Cubs from Start to Finish 7-2

Published on July 30, 2022 under Midwest League (MWL)
Lake County Captains News Release


(SOUTH BEND, IN) - The Lake County Captains (51-42) posted four runs in the first inning, which helped defeat the South Bend Cubs (53-42) 7-2 on a sunny Saturday night at Four Winds Field.

Before the fans in South Bend settled into their seats, the Captains were already scoring. Milan Tolentino walked and Joe Naranjo singled. Alexfri Planez then ripped a single to score Tolentino. Following an out, Johnathan Rodriguez stepped up. Rodriguez had two home runs in the series coming in and made it three with a deep blast to left center, to make it 4-0 and an early exit for Cubs' starter Kohl Franklin.

Lake County tacked on another run in the second. Tolentino stole second and third base and was plated by a sacrifice fly from Planez.

Doug Nikhazy had the run support but for most of his start did not need it. Nikhazy had a 1-2-3 first, ended his second with a strikeout, and forced a 6-4-3 double play to complete the third. The left-hander allowed two runners in the fifth, after a walk and single. After two outs, the 2021 Second Round pick was one strike away from five scoreless but a bloop single from Jordan Nwogu gave South Bend two.

Davis Sharpe and Mason Hickman held the Cubs off the board for the remainder of the contest. Sharpe went 2.1 innings and stranded two Cubs on in the sixth, after a 12-pitch battle with Casey Optiz which entered with a flyout to center field. Hickman walked two but collected the final six outs, three via strikeouts.

In the final two innings, Lake County added two runs. An error scored Gabriel Rodriguez in the eighth, and Milan Tolentino powered a solo shot over the right field fence in the ninth, his second dinger of the season.

The series between the Captains and Cubs will conclude tomorrow Sunday, July 31. The first pitch is at 2:05 p.m.

Coverage of the game can be found on WJCU.org/Captains and the MiLB First Pitch app.

Check out the Lake County Captains Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from July 30, 2022


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