MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Ficociello, Crawford Help Extend Winning Streak

Published on July 17, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Dominic Ficociello powered the offense and Jonathon Crawford spear-headed another lock-down pitching performance as the West Michigan Whitecaps cruised to their sixth straight win on Thursday, a 3-1 triumph over the Peoria Chiefs in front of 7,318 fans at Fifth Third Ballpark.

In a brisk two hours and six minutes, West Michigan (17-9, 58-38) improved their overall record to a season-best 20 games over .500 by limiting Peoria (16-10, 53-42) to just five hits. The Whitecaps, who did not allow a runner to reach scoring position after the third inning, will go for their ninth series sweep of the season on Friday night.

Batting clean-up, Ficociello was the offensive spark throughout the night. He was 3-for-4 with two doubles and all three Whitecaps' runs, reaching base with a leadoff hit and coming around to score in each of his first three trips to the plate. Grayson Greiner was 2-for-3 with a walk and Francisco Contreras drove in two runs to help cash in on the rallies.

Down 1-0 in the second inning, Ficociello clubbed a ground-rule double and took the third on a groundball single by Greiner before scoring on a game-tying infield hit by Contreras. Following a similar formula in the fourth, Ficociello pulled a double inside the third base line before Greiner's single put runners at the corners. This time, a fielder's choice groundout by Contreras gave West Michigan a 2-1 lead.

That turned out to be enough for the Whitecaps' vaunted pitching staff.

Crawford (5-2) battled through erratic command early but was able to minimize the damage before settling into a groove. The 2013 first-round pick allowed just one run on four hits over five innings, setting down the final seven batters he faced and punctuating the outing with his lone strikeout to end the fifth.

For the second straight night, the West Michigan bullpen dealt four shutout innings. Will LaMarche faced the minimum over three seamless frames, allowing just one hit and fanning three. Scott Sitz (2) took care of business in the ninth, turning in a second consecutive strong outing to earn his first save since April.

The 'Caps added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. Ficociello sparked the rally once again with an infield single and ended up at third base after Greiner drew a walk and Contreras bunted the runners over. Willy Adames laced a single to left that easily plated Ficociello, but Greiner was thrown out at the plate to cement the 3-1 final.

Chase Brookshire (3-5) took the loss despite a quality start for Peoria. The southpaw allowed three runs on eight hits over six innings.

The Whitecaps continue their six-game homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark with a 7:00 p.m. first pitch on Friday night against the Peoria Chiefs. RHP Buck Farmer (9-5, 2.79) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Blake McKnight (5-7, 4.42) of Peoria on a Tiger Friday featuring an appearance by Mickey Stanley and a bobblehead doll giveaway in his likeness. Fans will also be invited down to the field post-game to take a swing and win a prize during the Field of Dreams promotion. Season, group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps' front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

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Midwest League Stories from July 17, 2014


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