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MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Loons Hold On to Win, 2-1

April 15, 2010 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, MI - It was all about pitching in Thursday's game at Dow Diamond and, for the second night in a row, came down to a base-loaded strikeout to secure the Loons win over South Bend.

Luis Vasquez was called on in the middle of the ninth inning to secure the final two outs of the game. With one on first, Vasquez gave up a single to his first batter, Silver Hawk Chris Owings, and then walked Bobby Borchering to load the bases, mirroring Wednesday night's final few at-bats that had Steve Smith under the gun in the eventual winning effort.

The 24-year-old Dominican remained poised on the mound and delivered two swinging strikeouts to his next two batters, giving the Loons the 2-1 win. Vasquez's clutch efforts gave him the second save of his four-year minor league career.

"He's got an electrifying arm," Juan Bustabad said. "He just goes after the hitters and he made some quality pitches on the last two hitters."

Vasquez's final strikeout was a perfect bookend to what truly was a pitcher's duel. Loons starter Matt Magill served up five scoreless innings, twirling seven strikeouts and no walks, before being relieved by the team's youngest player, Andrew Webster.

On the other side, Eric Smith tossed six strikeouts in six scoreless innings for South Bend before and was relieved by Brian Budrow at the start of the seventh.

Budrow's third batter faced, Angelo Songco, brought the offense for the Loons and smashed a two-run homer to left-center field to put Great Lakes ahead 2-0.

"I was just trying to get a pitch right over the plate and grab the ball," Songco said. "I got a 2-0 fastball, drove it to that left-center stream and it went out. I was pretty excited...you know, when pitchers are dealing like that, being able to clutch-up [and deliver] is pretty awesome."

The Silver Hawks scored one in the eighth when Alberto Diaz hit a single to bring in David Nick, but Songco's two-run shot proved to be the difference. Webster recorded his second win of the season for the Loons, allowing one run on six hits over 3.1 innings.

Right-handed pitcher Will Savage (0-0, 2.70) will start Friday for the conclusion of the Loons six-game homestand. Going for South Bend will be Austin Adams (0-1, 4.15). The first 5,000 fans will receive a 2009 Loons Postseason wall poster presented by F.P. Horak. First pitch at 6:05 p.m.

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Midwest League Stories from April 15, 2010


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