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MWL Lake County Captains

Whitecaps' Bullpen Washes Away Captains in Narrow 2-1 Win

June 4, 2022 - Midwest League (MWL)
Lake County Captains News Release


(EASTLAKE, OH) - The Lake County Captains (25-24) stranded five runners on base in the final four innings, as the West Michigan Whitecaps (23-27) held on for a 2-1 win on a partly cloudy Saturday evening at Classic Park.

After the first two batters for Lake County in the bottom of the first were retired, Jhonkensy Noel came up to the plate. He homered on Thursday and Friday and did so again tonight. Noel launched a 438-foot blast over the left-field bleachers, to give the Captains a 1-0 lead in the first. He now had 13 home runs, tied for first in the Midwest League.

Doug Nikhazy delivered his longest outing of the season. He completed five innings in his ninth start of the season. The left-hander allowed only two runs on three hits, despite issuing six walks.

The second inning saw great Captains defense. After a leadoff single to begin the top of the second, a flyball was hit in the air to Connor Kokx in left field. The runner attempted to steal while the pitch was thrown, then tried to return to the bag. It would not be in time after a laser throw to convert the double play.

The frame ended with a high fly ball that Noel raced over to the Lake County bullpen and caught waist high.

The top of the third and fourth inning saw both Whitecaps runs. A solo home run in the third and a sacrifice fly following two walks that helped put runners on the corners in the fourth, gave West Michigan the 2-1 lead. Nikhazy finished the fifth scoreless, getting a 5-4-3 double play to end his effort.

Over the next three innings, Nathan Ocker did not allow a hit. He allowed only two base runners on an error and fielder's choice. It was the right-hander's longest relief appearance. Cade Smith struck out the side in the ninth, he now has 36 strikeouts in 17.2 innings.

The Lake County offense had a two-out single in both the bottom of the seventh and eighth innings, one from Mike Amditis, the other was Jhonkensy Noel's second hit, a single. Both half innings ended with strikeouts.

In the ninth, with two outs Raynel Delgado pinched hit and walked. Mike Amditis would line a single, into left field putting two runners on, with Korey Holland pinch running for Amditis. Aaron Bracho struck a ball hard but right to the centerfielder to end the game.

The sixth and final game of this home series, will be tomorrow Sunday, June 5th, with first pitch is at 1:00 p.m. Tomorrow is Family Fun Sunday and the Captains will don the Picantes de Lake County uniforms.

Coverage of the game can be found on WJCU.org/Captains and the MiLB First Pitch app

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