MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Loons Walk off with the Series Win

Published on June 2, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, MI - For the second night in a row, the Great Lakes Loons found timely hits in the ninth inning to defeat the Midwest League's winningest team, the Burlington Bees (37-18). This time it was Loons designated hitter Bobby Coyle who hit the game-winning two-run line-drive triple to the warning track in right-field and gave the Loons their 4-3 win Thursday at Dow Diamond in front of 3,456 fans.

Down 3-2 entering the ninth inning and facing Bees closer Daniel Tenholder, Casio Grider led-off with a single to get things going. Outfielder Joc Pederson dropped down a sacrifice bunt that moved Grider to second, while a wild pitch moved him to third. Once Chris Jacobs walked, it was Coyle's time to shine.

"[I was] just looking for a good strike to hit, you know, to just keep the ball in the air and try not to hit into a double-play in that situation," Coyle said. "[You want to] do whatever it takes to sacrifice yourself and get that tying run in there and give someone else a chance to win it."

Fortunately for the Loons, Coyle did all the work necessary to win with one swing of his bat, smoking the game-winning triple into right field. In the inning prior, catcher Michael Pericht hit a home run to left field that brought the Loons to within one. The Bees out-hit the Loons 12-4 in the game and 26-19 in the series; nevertheless, the Loons prevailed to win the series over the league's hottest team.

The Bees scored first in the top of the third inning on an infield groundout to first base. The Loons responded in the bottom of the inning, tying it up on a Bryant Hernandez sacrifice fly.

The Burlington Bees broke the 1-1 tie in the fourth inning with three consecutive hits to load the bases. Loons starting pitcher Bret Montgomery fanned two Bees, but the final strike thrown by the righty was a wild pitch that scored a run. The next batter faced found a single that scored another. On the play, the Burlington runner at second thought he had a chance to score as well, but was gunned down at the plate by Jon Garcia from right field.

Montgomery finished with four strikeouts and one walk, having allowed two earned runs on five hits over four innings. Loons reliever Michael Drowne threw two scoreless innings and pitched out of a one-out bases loaded jam in the sixth. Making his Great Lakes Loons debut was reliever Ryan Acosta, who picked up the win and kept the Loons in the game late with three scoreless frames.

Prior to the game, Red Wings Legend Mickey Redmond threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Earlier in the day, the National Hockey League awarded Mickey Redmond the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for broadcasting for his work analyzing Detroit Red Wings games. In addition, the NHL announced that Mickey will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a media honoree. Redmond was visiting Dow Diamond as a part of the Red Wings Legends Series presented by MidMichigan Health.

On Friday, the Loons begin a three-game series against the Peoria Chiefs, the Single-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Great Lakes will send RHP Zach Lee (3-1, 2.87) to the bump against Peoria's lefty Graham Hicks (1-2, 2.41). Friday night is Loons Latino Night at Dow Diamond, featuring a Fireworks Loontacular, powered by Dow Corning, as well as a post-game salsa party.

Check out the Great Lakes Loons Statistics

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



Midwest League Stories from June 2, 2011


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