Lugnuts Win Playoff Opener, 4-3
Published on September 7, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
South Bend, Ind. - The Lansing Lugnuts made their return to the Midwest League playoffs Wednesday night in triumphant fashion with a 4-3 victory over the South Bend SilverHawks at Coveleski Stadium. Lansing now leads the best-of-3 series 1-0.
With the score tied 3-3 in the eighth, Luke Hetherington singled and raced home on a Jacob Butler double down the right field line to put Lansing ahead 4-3.
Paul Phillips then entered the game in the ninth inning for the Lugnuts. South Bend put a runner at third with two men out, but Justin Upton struck out swinging to end the game.
Lansing had taken an early lead in the first when Hetherington doubled, moved to third on a Jason Armstrong groundout, and scored on a Butler groundout to make it 1-0.
The SilverHawks knotted the game in the third when Pedro Ciriaco scored on a Bryan Byrne single to left to make it 1-1.
South Bend snatched the lead in the fifth frame when Justin Upton cracked a two-run homer to left to make it a 3-1 game.
The Lugnuts fought back in the sixth inning when Anthony Garibaldi beat out an infield single to lead it off. Hetherington then doubled to right-center to put runners at second and third for Armstrong, who's RBI groundout plated Garibaldi to cut the lead to 3-2. Joey Metropoulos then hit a ground ball to South Bend shortstop Pedro Ciriaco, who committed a throwing error that allowed Hetherington to score to make it 3-3.
Lansing reliever Sean Stidfole got the win by throwing three innings of terrific relief. He did not allow a hit and faced just one batter over the minimum in his outing.
Ryan Doherty took the loss for the SilverHawks, allowing the deciding run in the eighth while working 1 2/3 innings of relief.
The series will now shift back to Oldsmobile Park for game two on Thursday night. Adrian Martin will get the start for the Lugnuts, while Adam Howard will take the ball for the SilverHawks. It will be a Molson Thirsty Thursday, with beer and soda on-sale for $2. First pitch is 7:05 p.m.
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- Lugnuts Win Playoff Opener, 4-3 - Lansing Lugnuts
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