Hoosier Hysteria at Four Winds Field, South Bend Tops Fort Wayne 9-5

June 28, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
South Bend Silver Hawks News Release


The South Bend Silver Hawks (44-34) scored early and often Saturday night at Four Winds Field, taking the second game of the four game series against the Fort Wayne TinCaps (35-43), 9-5. The Hawks put up seven extra base hits, including two doubles from centerfielder Breland Almadova, while the defense turned three double plays to keep the TinCaps from capitalizing on their chances. South Bend starter Hector Hernandez (W, 5-3) secured the win, giving up nine hits, three walks and four earned runs over six and two-thirds innings.

As soon as the game started, the South Bend Silver Hawks, Class-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, lit up the scoreboard with four runs in the bottom of the first. Designated hitter Andrew Velazquez led off the frame with a single to center. The base-knock extended Velazquez's streak of consecutive games of reaching base to 58. However, Velazquez's time on the bases was short lived as he was forced out at second on a fielder's choice by Almadova. First baseman Daniel Palka followed with a single to right, advancing Almadova to second. With a walk to third baseman George Roberts, the bases were loaded. Left fielder Chuck Taylor then proceeded to ground to short. The fielder's choice, as Roberts was forced out at second, was enough to score Almadova for the first run of the game. Second baseman Jamie Westbrook continued the rally with a single to shallow left-center to score Palka and move Taylor to second. A recent addition to the Hawks roster, catcher Grant Nelson, continued to the hit parade with a double over Ronnie Richardson's head in center. The double allowed Taylor and Westbrook to score and put the Hawks up early 4-0.

Fort Wayne starting pitcher Payton Baskette's (L, 3-4) struggles continued in the second inning. Shortstop Ryan Gebhardt led off with a single to right. As Franmill Reyes tried to corral the ball in right, it popped out of his glove and hit the turf, allowing Gebhardt to scamper to second on the E-9 fielding. Almadova laced a double down the left field line and Gebhardt came around to score. With two outs, Roberts collected a double of his own, this one to the left-center gap to score Almadova. Taylor followed with a triple to right-center, scoring Roberts and giving South Bend a 7-0 cushion.

The Fort Wayne TinCaps, Class-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, closed the gap in the top of the fifth. With one out, second baseman River Stevens singled to center. Left fielder Nick Schulz followed with a hard hit ground ball off the mound. The ball ricocheted into center, allowing Schulz to reach safely and Stevens to advance to second. Shortstop Josh VanMeter took a Hernandez offering to the right field corner for a double, scoring Stevens and Schulz and bring the margin to 7-2.

Genison Reyes entered in relief of Baskette in the bottom of the fifth. Right fielder Zach Esquerra connected on a line drive over Schulz's head in left for a double. With two outs, Esquerra was on the move and came around to score on a single to center by Velazquez to give the Hawks another insurance run at 8-2.

The TinCaps collected two more runs in the top of the seventh as Hernandez started to lose his control. After striking out Schulz to start the inning, Hernandez issued back-to-back walks to VanMeter and Richardson. A 5-3 groundout by third baseman Dustin Peterson pushed VanMeter to third and Richardson to second respectively. During first baseman Jake Bauers' at bat, a Hernandez wild pitch scored VanMeter. Bauers then got in on the action as his single to center scored Richardson as the TinCaps now trailed 8-4.

South Bend plated another run in the eighth thanks to the Four Winds Field lighting system. Almadova led off with a fly ball to shallow left. Schulz lost the ball in the bright lights and Almadova reached second as the ball bounced off the turf. A single to center by Roberts later scored Almadova.

Fort Wayne did not go without a fight in the ninth. Bud Jeter was on for his second inning of relief for the Hawks. Schulz led off with a single to right and quickly moved to second on a wild pitch. Richardson pushed Schulz to third with his single to left. Peterson then lofted a ball into foul territory down the left field line. Taylor hustled over the make the catch, but Schulz tagged from third to score on the sacrifice. A walk to Bauers then put runners at first and second. However, that was all the TinCaps could muster as Jeter induced a 3-1 groundout by Reyes to close the 9-5 Hawks victory.

Spend your Sunday afternoon with the Silver Hawks at Four Winds Field. The Hawks and 'Caps get back in action at 2:05 p.m. Walker Weickel (1-8, 6.06) is scheduled to start for Fort Wayne. Blayne Weller (3-4, 4.45) gets the ball for South Bend.

Sunday is Family and Swoop Troop Day! Bring your gloves and come down onto the field for a pre-game catch, beginning at 1:15. After the game the Silver Hawks' players will be signing autographs on the field.

Kids, get to the park early! The first 750 children, 12 and under, will receive a Silver Hawks youth replica jersey, presented by Martin's Supermarkets.



Midwest League Stories from June 28, 2014


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