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Snappers Blank Loons, 4-0

May 2, 2013 - Midwest League (MWL) - Great Lakes Loons News Release

MIDLAND, Mich. - The Great Lakes Loons (12-14) lost the second game of a three-game series, 4-0, to the Beloit Snappers (12-12) at Dow Diamond on Thursday night. Beloit scored two runs in both the first and third innings en route to the victory.

Beloit pushed their first two runs across in the top of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Brett Vertigan reached on a walk, then stole second and third base before scoring the first run of the ballgame on a wild pitch. The second run of the frame was scored by cleanup hitter Rashun Dickson. Dickson reached on a walk, advanced on the wild pitch and scored on a Matt Olson single. Olson was 2-for-4 on the night with two RBI.

The Snappers added their second set of runs in the road half of the third. Two-hitter Daniel Robertson, who was 3-for-4 in the game with two extra-base hits, crushed a 1-0 pitch that went 370 feet to straightaway left field for a solo home run. The other run of the frame came when three-hitter Bruce Maxwell scored on a double from cleanup hitter Rashun Dickson.

Vince Voiro started for Beloit and went five innings, giving up no runs on three hits to get credit for the win. The Cherry Hill, N.J. native struck out four and only issued one walk.

Great Lakes biggest threat came in the eighth inning, when they had runners on first and second with two outs and five-hitter Corey Seager at the plate. However, Snappers catcher Nick Rickles ended the rally when he picked Paul Hoenecke off first base with a great snap throw.

Derek De Young picked up his first save of the season for the Snappers, holding the Loons scoreless over the last four innings of the game, giving up just two hits, while striking out six and walking two.

"We didn't do enough offensively to have an opportunity to win the ball game tonight," Loons manager Razor Shines said. "Usually, when you don't do enough offensively, the other guy had something to do with it and they pitched really well tonight. Both of their guys were really good."

Loons six-hitter Dashenko Ricardo went 3-for-4 in the game, picking up three of the Loons five hits in the contest.

"Tonight, I was just really trying to concentrate on calling a good game behind the plate," Ricardo said. "But I did see that they were trying to work the fastball inside on me. So my second time out, I focused on that and was just trying to make contact with the ball."

Ralston Cash started for the Loons and pitched 5.1 innings, giving up four runs on five hits. Cash got the loss for Great Lakes. He struck out six and walked four.

"[Cash] didn't have his command tonight," Shines added. "Even though he had six strikeouts, he walked too many. His command wasn't what it normally is. He was a little under the weather tonight, but he'll be back because he's been better."

Jake Hermsen entered the game in the sixth inning for the Loons, with runners at first and second, and only one out. He promptly forced seven-hitter Chad Lewis into a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat. Hermsen pitched 2.2 scoreless innings and surrendered just one hit. Scott Griggs pitched the ninth and struck out the side.

Both teams had their fair of strikeouts in the game. Snappers pitchers had 11 total strikeouts and Loons pitchers combined for 10.

The Loons are back in action on Friday night, as they wrap up their three-game series against Beloit. The projected starter for Great Lakes is Jharel Cotton (1-1, 3.78), while Austin House (0-2, 2.84) is expected to go for the Snappers. Friday night is also Game Show Night at Dow Diamond and the Loons will also have a Beer & Wine Tasting Event, along with a MCC Summer Camp Preview.

The Great Lakes Loons are a seventh-year Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. For tickets and more information about the Loons, visit Loons.com or call 989-837-BALL.

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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.

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