Hawks Rise to 5-4 Triumph

Published on May 15, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
South Bend Silver Hawks News Release


The South Bend Silver Hawks escaped with a one-run victory over the Fort Wayne TinCaps Thursday night at Four Winds Field. Through the first eight innings it seemed that the Silver Hawks were cruising to an easy win over their Hoosier State rivals. After Fort Wayne loaded the bases in the top of the ninth, the game came to an abrupt end when third baseman Dustin Peterson, representing the tying run, attempted to stretch his bases-clearing double into a triple, only to be thrown out at third, sealing the 5-4 South Bend win.

The Fort Wayne TinCaps, Class-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, wasted no time as they notched a run in top of the first inning. Center fielder Mallex Smith led off the game with a bunt single down the third base line. Smith barely stopped to catch his breath as he worked his way around the bases during Peterson's at bat by stealing second and later third. Peterson collected his first of four RBI on the night as his 5-3 groundout brought Smith home for an early 1-0 TinCap advantage.

The Silver Hawks struck back in the bottom of the second. Left fielder Chuck Taylor was plunked by an offering from TinCap starter Walker Weickel (L, 1-5) to lead off the frame. A single to left field by center fielder Breland Almadova brought Taylor around to third. Almadova was then able to swipe second during catcher BJ Lopez's at bat. Lopez drew a walk from Weickel. Ball four was in the dirt allowing Taylor to scamper home on the wild pitch and Almadova move up to third. A sacrifice fly to left by shortstop Andrew Velazquez pushed the Hawks in front as Almadova crossed the plate for a 2-1 lead.

South Bend, the Class-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, padded their lead with two more runs in the bottom of the third. First baseman Daniel Palka led off with a weak pop-up down the first base line that fell in front of Weickel as he came off the mound and kicked the ball into foul territory as he attempted to field it. Designated hitter Steve McQuail followed with a walk to put two on with nobody out. A fly-out to left by right fielder Stryker Trahan allowed Palka to move up to third. Taylor then grounded into a fielder's choice at short but was credited with an RBI as Palka crossed the plate. After advancing to second on a wild pitch during Almadova's at bat, Taylor scored when Almadova lined a double to shallow center to put the Hawks up 4-1.

Thanks to a defensive miscue, the Hawks pushed another run across in the fifth. With one out, McQuail lifted a ball to deep center field. Smith camped out under the ball, but just as it looked like he had corralled it into his glove, the ball squirted out and hit the turf. McQuail never stopped and was able to reach third on the E-8 fielding. A sacrifice fly to left by Trahan was all McQuail needed to score and give the Hawks a valuable insurance run.

Blayne Weller (W, 2-2), who had entered the game in relief of an injured Hawks starter Adam Miller in the second, kept the TinCaps off the board through 4 1/3 innings, allowing only two hits while striking out four. The Hawks bullpen picked up where Weller left off. Bud Jeter and Will Locante combined for two scoreless frames.

The wheels almost came off in the top of the ninth. The inning began with first baseman Jake Bauers singling to left off Hawks reliever Jake Roberts. After retiring catcher Ryan Miller, left fielder Charles Henry grounded to second. However, instead of taking the sure out at first, second baseman Jamie Westbrook turned and fired to second in an attempt to get Bauers. Westbrook's throw was low and in the dirt as it skirted into the outfield. This allowed Bauers to advance to third on the error and Charles to reach on the fielder's choice. Shortstop Chase Jensen was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. South Bend Manager Mark Haley turned to Silvino Bracho (S, 2). Bracho struck out Smith for the second out of the inning. After working a full count, Peterson roped the ball into the right-center gap. This cleared the bases as Bauers, Charles, and Jensen all scored. Almadova in center was able to hit his cutoff man and gun down Peterson 8-4-5 as he attempted to stretch for a triple and secure the Hawks 5-4 victory.

The Hawks and 'Caps keep it going Friday night at Four Winds Field. First pitch is set for 7:35 p.m. Adrian De Horta (0-1, 4.28) is scheduled to start for Fort Wayne. Braden Shipley (2-2, 4.23), the Arizona Diamondbacks' first round pick in the 2013 draft, will take the mound for South Bend.

Friday is South Bend Blue Sox Night. We'll be kicking off the night with a pre-game ceremony honoring Betsy Jochum, a member of the original 1943 South Bend Blue Sox team. The Blue Sox were one of the first teams in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, a women's baseball league that provided entertainment on the Homefront during World War II. The AAGPBL was immortalized in the 1992 film "A League of Their Own."

During the game, enjoy free wine tastings from Gallo Barefoot Wine. Then stick around after last pitch for the SIlver Hawks' famous Friday Night Fireworks spectacular, presented by 1st Source Bank, Sunny 101.5 and WNDU.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from May 15, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central