Whitecaps Take First Home Game of '26
MWL West Michigan Whitecaps

Whitecaps Take First Home Game of '26

Published on April 8, 2026 under Midwest League (MWL)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps rallied late as the bullpen weathered a late storm from the Great Lakes Loons in a 5-2 win Wednesday afternoon at LMCU Ballpark.

West Michigan piled on three runs in the eighth inning on the strength of five hits-highlighted by an RBI double from Garrett Pennington and an RBI single from Samuel Gil. Meanwhile, Whitecaps closer CJ Weins slammed the door with two scoreless frames, concluding with a leaping catch by centerfielder Jackson Strong near the wall to preserve the win.

West Michigan plated two runs in the third inning to open the scoring-highlighted by an RBI single from infielder Woody Hadeen-to take a 2-0 lead. At the same time, Whitecaps starting pitcher Carlos Marcano enjoyed a solid outing, going four scoreless innings with three strikeouts before the Loons leveled the game in the fifth on a two-run bloop single into center field by catcher Jesus Galiz, tying the game at two. Entering the eighth inning with the game tied, Strong opened the frame with a double before the 'Caps followed with four consecutive hits-scoring three runs and taking a 5-2 advantage. Weins did allow three Loons hitters to reach base, but the running grab by Strong in the ninth inning sealed the victory and delivered West Michigan the 5-2 home win.

The Whitecaps improve to 3-2, while the Loons fall to 3-2. Weins (1-0) earns his first win of the season with two scoreless innings of work, while Great Lakes reliever Cody Morse (0-1) suffers his first loss, giving up three runs in one inning pitched. Hadeen finished the game 1-for-4 with a run scored and stole home in the third inning-becoming the first Whitecaps player to steal home since Josue Briceño did so during his historic three-home-run performance against the Dayton Dragons on May 29 of last season.

UP NEXT

The 'Caps switch back to the evening slate as their six-game season-opening series against the Great Lakes Loons continues Thursday at 6:35pm. Sterling Patrick and Hayden Minton are the scheduled starting pitchers for the Loons and 'Caps. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Nate Wangler begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:20 pm on 106.1 FM 'The Ticket', and 1340 WJRW-AM in Grand Rapids, or listen to all the action on whitecapsbaseball.com.

Check out the West Michigan Whitecaps Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from April 8, 2026


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