Clutch Is Everything

Published on August 11, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
South Bend Silver Hawks News Release


South Bend - The logo for the National Basketball Association for years has been the silhouette of former Los Angeles Lakers great Jerry West. In his playing days, West earned the moniker ‘Mr. Clutch'. Friday night, the 2006 South Bend Silver Hawks clutch hitter has been Orlando Mercado. Mercado again provided a magical bat to help the Hawks to a come from behind 3-2 win over the Lansing Lugnuts.

The Lugnuts received a gift run in the first. Jason Armstrong reached on Pedro Ciriaco's fielding error and Luke Hetherington walked, putting runners at first and second. Brian Pettway also reached via the free pass to load the bases, with Armstrong scoring on a sacrifice fly by Joey Metropoulos, putting the Lugnuts up 1-0.

Lansing led 2-1 heading to the home half of the ninth. In the bottom of the inning, Justin Upton opened things by reaching on an infield single. Bryan Byrne followed with a base hit to right, placing runners at first and second. Will Crouch's sacrifice bunt moved Upton and Byrne up 90 feet, while Ricardo Sosa was intentionally walked to load the bases, to set the stage for Mercado.

Mercado, who came into the game hitting .500 with the bases loaded and 13 RBI to his credit in thos situations, came through for the Silver Hawks again, sending a base hit into left field to score Upton and Byrne for the Hawks 3-2 win.

South Bend's victory was its 36th comeback win and 19th in its final at bat.

The Silver Hawks (62-51, 29-18) continue their four game series Saturday night with the Lugnuts. First pitch is slated for 7:00PM. Saturday is Meijer Family Fun Night. Fans can pick up a coupon from a participating Meijer store and present it at the Coveleski Stadium box office and receive four box seats, four hot dogs, four Pepsi products and a game program for $24.

Tickets for all Silver Hawks games can be purchased by calling the box office at (574) 235-9988 or visiting www.silverhawks.com.

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Midwest League Stories from August 11, 2006


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