2008 West Michigan Whitecaps Season Tracker

Last edited by catbox_9 on Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:55 pm; edited 9 times in total

Discuss your West Michigan Whitecaps!

(Schedule courtesy of GoGetEmTigers)

GAME WRITE-UPS AT:
Entry Filed under: General, Post-Game Reports
Then look in left hand column for Recent Posts

West Michigan Whitecaps
FIRST HALF OF SEASON

WINS - 37, LOSSES - 31

CLICK SCORE FOR BOX SCORE

Click For Game Results Page

April (all times local unless noted)

3 @ South Bend 6:30 PM - WON 15-2 (WP: R. Garcia; LP: J. Norberto)
4 @ South Bend 6:30 PM - WON 2-1 (WP: R. Darrow ; LP: W. Spottiswood)
5 @ South Bend 6:30 PM - WON 5-4 (WP: S. Mieses; LP: T. Layne; SV: N. Krol)
6 @ South Bend 1:30 PM - WON 11-5 (WP: P. Nardozzi; LP: J. Collmenter)
7 vs. Great Lakes 6:35 PM - WON 11-1 (WP: J. Kibler; LP: D. Rondon)
8 vs. Great Lakes 6:35 PM - LOST 1-5 (WP: J. Miller; LP: R. Garcia; SV: R. Blevins)
9 vs. Great Lakes 6:35 PM - WON 9-0 (WP: A. Figaro; LP: B. Morris)
10 vs. Great Lakes 6:35 PM - Postponed: Rain
11 @ Clinton 8:00 PM - Postponed: Rain
12 @ Clinton ?:?? PM - LOST 7-8 (WP: J. Lueke; LP: S. Mieses)
12 @ Clinton 8:00 PM - LOST 2-5 (WP: J. Santana; LP: L. Gagnier; SV: D. Sattler)
13 @ Clinton 3:00 PM - LOST 2-6 (WP: K. Gomez; LP: J. Kibler)
14 @ Peoria 7:30 PM - LOST 0-4 (WP: D. Rhee; LP: R. Garcia; SV: M. Mateo)
15 @ Peoria 7:30 PM - WON 5-1 (WP: A. Figaro; LP: C. Siegfried)
16 @ Peoria 7:30 PM - LOST 1-2 (WP: S. Vento; LP: S. Mieses)
18 vs. Burlington 6:35 PM - LOST 0-3 (WP: A. Caldera; LP: E. Miguelez; SV: H. Arias)
19 vs. Burlington 2:00 PM - WON 8-7 in 12 innings (WP: R. Darrow; LP: Y. Lopez)
20 vs. Burlington 2:00 PM - WON 6-5 in 11 innings (WP: P. Nardozzi; LP: T. Bradley)
21 vs. Beloit 6:35 PM - WON 2-1 (WP: R. Garcia; LP: M. Tarsi; SV: N. Krol)
22 vs. Beloit 6:35 PM - WON 5-3 (WP: A. Figaro; LP: D. Berlind; SV: N. Krol)
23 vs. Beloit 6:35 PM - WON 5-4 (WP: R. Darrow; LP: B. Erickson)
25 @ Cedar Rapids 7:30 PM - LOST 3-7 (WP: T. Reckling; LP: L. Gagnier)
26 @ Cedar Rapids 3:00 PM - LOST 7-8 (WP: S. Leon; LP: R. Darrow)
27 @ Cedar Rapids 3:00 PM - WON 9-2 (WP: R. Garcia; LP: J. Walden)
28 @ Wisconsin 7:35 PM - WON 4-3 (WP: W. Garcia; LP: J. Souza; SV: R. Darrow)
29 @ Wisconsin 7:35 PM - LOST 5-7 (WP: T. Mortimore; LP: P. Nardozzi; SV: S. Kelley)
30 @ Wisconsin 1:05 PM - WON 6-1 (WP: L. Gagnier; LP: J. Wild)

May (all times local unless noted)

2 vs. Quad Cities 6:35 PM - WON 16-3 (WP: J. Kibler; LP: J. Stambaugh)
3 vs. Quad Cities 2:00 PM - LOST 3-5 (WP: E. Sanchez; LP: R. Garcia; SV: C. Tucker)
4 vs. Quad Cities 2:00 PM - WON 4-0 (WP: A. Figaro; LP: S. Garceau)
5 vs. Kane County 6:35 PM - LOST 1-2 (WP: S. Deal; LP: N. Krol; SV: J. Friend)
6 vs. Kane County 6:35 PM - LOST 3-10 (WP: S. Hodsdon; LP: L. Gagnier; SV: L. Sewell)
7 vs. Kane County 11:00 AM - Cancelled: Rain
8 @ Lansing 7:05 PM - WON 2-0 (WP: R. Garcia; LP: N. Starner)
9 @ Lansing 7:05 PM - LOST 3-7 (WP: B. Mills; LP: A. Figaro; SV: A. Farina)
10 vs. Lansing 2:00 PM - WON 4-2 (WP: E. Miguelez; LP: R. Boone; SV: N. Krol)
11 vs. Lansing 2:00 PM - Postponed: Rain
12 @ Fort Wayne 6:00 PM - LOST 1-2 (WP: J. McBryde; LP: L. Gagnier; SV: J. Quezada)
13 @ Fort Wayne 6:00 PM - WON 11-3 (WP: J. Kibler; LP: G. Vandel)
14 @ Fort Wayne 6:00 PM - LOST 5-7 (WP: W. Pelzer; LP: S. Mieses; SV: J. Quezada)
15 @ Fort Wayne 11:00 AM - LOST 5-7 (WP: D. McDaid; LP: W. Garcia; SV: J. Quezada)
16 vs. Lansing Game 1 - WON 6-3 7 innings (WP: A. Figaro; LP: T. Magnuson; SV: R. Darrow)
16 vs. Lansing Game 2 - LOST 0-5 7 innings (WP: R. Boone; LP: E. Miguelez)
17 vs. Lansing 7:00 PM - LOST 3-5 (WP: A. Farina; LP: R. Darrow; SV: C. Crowell)
18 @ Lansing 2:05 PM - WON 4-2 (WP: J. Kibler; LP: M. Rzepczynski)
19 @ South Bend 6:30 PM - LOST 1-4 (WP: B. Augenstein; LP: B. Hamilton; SV: E. Scribner)
20 @ South Bend 6:30 PM - WON 10-4 (WP: P. Nardozzi; LP: J. Parker; SV: R. Darrow)
21 @ South Bend 6:30 PM - WON 4-1 (WP: A. Figaro; LP: C. Beltre)
22 @ South Bend 6:30 PM - WON 5-4 (WP: W. Garcia; LP: D. Fournier; SV: N. Krol)
23 vs. Dayton 6:35 PM - WON 3-2 (WP: M. Robles)
24 vs. Dayton 7:00 PM - WON 2-0 (WP: J. Kibler; LP: M. Klinker; SV: N. Krol)
25 vs. Dayton 2:00 PM - LOST 4-6 (WP: L. Montano; LP: B. Hamilton; SV: J. Jeffords)
26 vs. Dayton 2:00 PM - LOST 0-6 (WP: J. Ravin; LP: A. Figaro; SV: J. Horst)
28 vs. South Bend 11:00 AM - LOST 3-8 (WP: J. Collmenter; LP: E. Miguelez)
29 vs. South Bend 11:00 AM - LOST 3-7 (WP: J. Norberto; LP: L. Gagnier)
30 vs. South Bend 6:35 PM - LOST 1-6 (WP: B. Augenstein; LP: J. Kibler)
31 vs. South Bend 7:00 PM - LOST 1-5 (WP: C. Beltre; LP: B. Hamilton)

June (all times local unless noted)

1 @ Dayton 4:00 PM - WON 10-0 (WP: A. Figaro; LP: J. Ravin)
2 @ Dayton 7:00 PM - WON 10-6 (WP: W. Garcia; LP: C. Partch)
3 @ Dayton 7:00 PM - WON 5-2 6 INNINGS (WP: M. Robles; LP: J. Arneson)
4 @ Dayton 7:00 PM - LOST 3-4 (WP: J. Horst; LP: W. Garcia)
5 @ Great Lakes 7:05 PM - LOST 3-9 (WP: S. Johnson; LP: B. Hamilton; SV: M. Sanfler)
6 @ Great Lakes - Game 1 - Postponed: Rain
6 @ Great Lakes - Game 2 - Postponed: Rain
7 @ Great Lakes - Game 1 - LOST 6-7 in 7 innings (WP: G. Kutz; LP: E. Miguelez; SV: M. Ramirez)
7 @ Great Lakes - Game 2 - AHEAD 7-0 RAIN DELAYED
8 @ Great Lakes - Complete delayed game - WON 10-1 (WP: K. Cedano; LP: T. Melgarejo)
8 @ Great Lakes GAME 2 - WON 8-3 (WP: M. Robles; LP: V. Garate)
9 vs. Lansing 7:00 PM - WON 4-3 (WP: N. Krol; LP: M. Barbara)
10 vs. Lansing 7:00 PM - LOST 0-2 (WP: B. Mills; LP: M. Hoffman; SV: E. Estanga)
11 vs. Lansing 7:00 PM - WON 4-1 (WP: A. Figaro; LP: C. Cheng; SV: N. Krol)
12 vs. Lansing 7:00 PM - WON 1-0 (WP: W. Garcia; LP: C. Crowell)
13 vs. Fort Wayne 7:00 PM - WON 5-0 (WP: E. Miguelez; LP: M. Teague)
14 vs. Fort Wayne 7:00 PM - WON 6-3 (WP: J. Kibler; LP: W. Pelzer; SV: N. Krol)
15 vs. Fort Wayne 2:00 PM - LOST 4-8 (WP: J. Hefner; LP: M. Hoffman; SV: D. McDaid)

Discuss your West Michigan Whitecaps!

(Schedule courtesy of GoGetEmTigers)

GAME WRITE-UPS AT:
Entry Filed under: General, Post-Game Reports
Then look in left hand column for Recent Posts

West Michigan Whitecaps
SECOND HALF OF SEASON

WINS - 35, LOSSES - 34

CLICK SCORE FOR BOX SCORE

Click For Game Results Page

June continued (all times local unless noted)

19 @ South Bend 7:00 PM - LOST 1-6 (LP: P. Nardozzi)
20 @ South Bend 7:30 PM - WON 8-5 (WP: A. Hess; SV: R. Darrow)
21 @ South Bend 7:00 PM - LOST 4-5 (LP: W. Garcia)
22 @ South Bend 1:30 PM - LOST 1-9 (LP: J. Kibler)
23 @ Fort Wayne 7:00 PM - LOST 0-7 (LP: B. Hamilton)
24 @ Fort Wayne 7:00 PM - WON 7-6 (WP: W. Garcia; SV: N. Krol)
25 @ Fort Wayne 7:00 PM - LOST 0-8 (LP: M. Robles)
26 @ Fort Wayne 12:00 PM - WON 6-5 (WP: A. Figaro; SV: N. Krol)
27 vs. Lansing 7:00 PM - WON 3-2 (WP: J. Kibler; SV: N. Krol)
28 vs. Lansing 7:00 PM - LOST 2-3 (LP: K. Cedano)
29 vs. Lansing 2:00 PM - WON 6-5 (WP: N. Krol)
30 vs. Lansing 2:00 PM - LOST 0-4 (LP: A. Hess)

July (all times local unless noted)

1 vs. Fort Wayne 7:00 PM - WON 9-4 (WP: A. Figaro)
2 vs. Fort Wayne 7:00 PM - Postponed: Rain
3 vs. Fort Wayne GAME 1 - WON 1-0 (WP. Garcia)
3 vs. Fort Wayne GAME 2 - WON 4-3 (WP: K. Cedano)
4 vs. Fort Wayne 7:00 PM - LOST 7-8 (LP: P. Nardozzi)
5 @ Dayton 7:00 PM - WON 3-2 (WP: W. Garcia)
6 @ Dayton 7:00 PM - WON 9-3 (WP: A. Figaro)
7 @ Dayton 7:00 PM - LOST 1-9 (LP: A. Hess)
9 vs. Clinton 7:00 PM - WON 5-3 (WP: J. Kibler)
10 vs. Clinton 7:00 PM - LOST1-6 (LP: T. Weber)
11 vs. Clinton 7:00 PM - LOST 1-4 (LP: P. Nardozzi)
12 vs. Peoria 7:00 PM - LOST 0-2 (LP: W. Garcia)
13 vs. Peoria 2:00 PM - LOST 3-4 (LP: B. Jacobson)
14 vs. Peoria 7:00 PM - WON 10-2 (WP: J. Kibler)
16 @ Beloit 8:00 PM - LOST 3-5 (LP: T. Weber)
17 @ Beloit 8:00 PM - LOST 7-11 (LP: P. Nardozzi)
18 @ Beloit 8:00 PM - WON 4-3 (WP: R. Darrow; SV: S. Green)
19 @ Burlington 7:30 PM - WON 10-4 (WP: A. Figaro)
20 @ Burlington 3:00 PM - LOST 0-6 (LP: J. Kibler)
21 @ Burlington 8:00 PM - Cancelled: Rain
23 vs. Wisconsin 7:00 PM - WON 6-1 (WP: M. Robles)
24 vs. Wisconsin 7:00 PM - WON 8-5 (WP: P. Nardozzi; SV: S. Green)
25 vs. Wisconsin 7:00 PM - WON 9-4 (WP: J. Kibler)
26 vs. Cedar Rapids 7:00 PM - LOST 1-2 (LP: B. Jacobson)
27 vs. Cedar Rapids 2:00 PM - LOST 0-5 (LP: E. Miguelez)
28 vs. Cedar Rapids 7:00 PM - LOST 3-5 (LP: N. Krol)
29 @ Quad Cities - Postponed: Rain
30 @ Quad Cities - GAME 1 - WON 7-2 (WP: J. Kibler)
30 @ Quad Cities - GAME 2 - LOST 2-5 (LP: A. Hess)
31 @ Quad Cities - LOST 2-3 (LP: N. Krol)

August (all times local unless noted)

1 @ Kane County 7:30 PM - LOST 6-7 (LP: S. Green)
2 @ Kane County 7:00 PM - LOST 2-5 (LP: M. Robles)
3 @ Kane County 3:00 PM - LOST 1-7 (LP: L. Gagnier)
5 @ Great Lakes 7:05 PM - WON 5-0 (WP: J. Kibler)
6 @ Great Lakes 7:05 PM - SUSPENDED
7 @ Great Lakes Game 1 - WON 4-3 (WP: W. Garcia)
7 @ Great Lakes Game 2 - WON 2-1 (WP: E. Miguelez; SV: B. Jacobson)
8 @ Great Lakes 7:05 PM - WON 3-2 (WP: N. Krol)
9 vs. South Bend 7:00 PM - LOST 1-2 (LP: L. Gagnier)
10 vs. South Bend 2:00 PM - WON 8-2 (WP: J. Kibler)
11 vs. South Bend 7:00 PM - LOST2-5 (LP: S. Green)
12 vs. South Bend 7:00 PM - LOST 2-6 (LP: E. Miguelez)
13 vs. Lansing 7:00 PM - WON 2-1 (WP: B. Jacobson)
14 vs. Lansing 7:00 PM - LOST 0-1 (LP: L. Gagnier)
15 vs. Lansing 7:00 PM - WON 4-3 (WP: J. Kibler; SV: W. Garcia)
16 @ South Bend 6:30 PM - LOST 0-1 (LP: T. Weber)
17 @ South Bend 1:30 PM - WON 9-4 (WP: E. Miguelez; SV: A. Hess)
18 @ South Bend 6:30 PM - LOST 0-3 (LP: M. Robles)
19 @ South Bend 6:30 PM - WON 10-9 (WP: B. Jacobson; SV: N. Krol)
21 vs. Dayton 7:00 PM - WON 6-5 (WP: N. Krol)
22 vs. Dayton 7:00 PM - LOST 3-4 (LP: J. Kibler)
23 vs. Dayton 7:00 PM - LOST 0-6 (LP: T. Weber)
24 vs. Dayton 2:00 PM - WON 4-2 (WP: M. Robles; SV: N. Krol)
25 vs. Great Lakes 7:00 PM - WON 5-1 (WP: E. Miguelez)
26 vs. Great Lakes 7:00 PM - WON 3-2 (WP: S. Green)
27 vs. Great Lakes 7:00 PM - WON 5-2 (WP: A. Hess; SV: N. Krol)
28 vs. Great Lakes 7:00 PM - LOST 1-12 (LP: B. Villareal)
29 @ Dayton 7:00 PM - WON 5-0 (WP: T. Weber)
30 @ Dayton 7:00 PM - WON 7-3 (WP: P. Nardozzi)
31 @ Dayton 7:00 PM - WON 5-4 (WP: W. Garcia; SV: N. Krol)

September (all times local unless noted)

1 @ Dayton 2:00 PM - LOST 4-5 (LP: A. Fuhrman)

PLAYOFFS (1-2)
3 vs. South Bend, LOST 3-5 (LP: J. Kibler)
4 vs. South Bend Postponed: Rain
5 vs. South Bend 7:05 PM - WON 11-0 (WP: T. Weber)
6 vs. South Bend 7:05 PM - LOST 2-3 (LP: W. Garcia)
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bow

Whitecaps rock! Metal

My teeth could use some Whitecaps!!

Subject: Joe DePastino Whitecaps 2008 Manager Mon Dec 24, 2007 7:27 am

November 16th, 2007

COMSTOCK PARK, MI — The West Michigan Whitecaps, in conjunction with the Detroit Tigers, announced today that Joe DePastino will be the Whitecaps manager for the 2008 season. Tom Brookens, who was originally scheduled to return for another season, was promoted to Double-A Erie following the loss of Matt Walbeck to the Texas Rangers organization.

DePastino, a Philadelphia, Pa., native, will be the eighth manager in Whitecaps history after enjoying a 13-year career in the minor leagues, including seven seasons at the Triple-A level. The right-handed catcher was drafted in the seventh round of the 1992 draft by the Boston Red Sox and had a .265 batting average with 87 home runs, 468 RBIs, 401 runs scored in 944 games throughout his career. The minor league veteran reached the Major Leagues in 2003, appearing in two games with the New York Mets. Looking to stay involved in the game, DePastino coached high school baseball in Sarasota, Fla. while pursuing opportunities with organizations.

“We are very pleased to add someone of Joe DePastino’s caliber to our managerial ranks,” said Tigers Director of Minor League Operations Dan Lunetta. “We feel that Joe brings to the Tigers organization all of the abilities we look for to manage a critical part of the organization.”

DePastino spent seven seasons at the Triple-A level and spent time with six organizations, the Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves, Toronto Blue Jays, Red Sox and Mets. In 2003, DePastino won the Norfolk Tides Most Inspirational Player Award, which recognized the clubhouse leader and was voted on by the players.

“I’m very excited for the opportunity the Tigers have given me in the organization,” said DePastino. “I’ve heard nothing but great things about West Michigan and the Whitecaps organization, and I’m looking forward to Opening Day.”

After leading West Michigan to the 2007 Midwest League Championship in his first year as Whitecaps manager, Brookens took the opportunity to move up to Double-A Erie after the SeaWolves lost their manager when Walbeck was hired as the Texas Rangers third base coach on November 7. Brookens owns a 171-118 record in three seasons in the Tigers organization.

“This was a bittersweet decision to take the Erie position,” said Brookens. “Last year was a special season with the Whitecaps. West Michigan is one of the best organizations to play and manage at in all of professional baseball.”

Go Whitecaps!! PARTY!

Guest

little tigers!

Who grow up to be big bad Tigers! tiger

Not to pick nits, but the team really is the West Michigan Whitecaps, not the Western Michigan Whitecaps as the title says. The title given to posters is also misnamed.
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"I love what I do. If I had my time over again, I'd probably do it for nothing."--Ernie Harwell

Whitecaps win the opener 15-2!
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Ten-run first powers Whitecaps in Season Opener

April 3rd, 2008

SOUTH BEND, IN – Thirteen batters came to the plate in the first inning as the Whitecaps jumped out to a 10-0 lead before the Silver Hawks had a chance to bat, en route to a 15-2 thumping.

Ramon Garcia held the South Bend offense scoreless through six innings before the ‘Hawks tallied two runs in the eighth off reliever Kelvin Cedano.

Kyle Peter and Justin Henry, the top two batters in the West Michigan lineup each scored three times, including twice each in the first inning. Henry drove in three runs while Peter, Casper Wells, Chris Carlson and Audy Ciriaco each had 2 RBI for the ‘Caps.

All nine of the Whitecaps position players scored and all but one had a hit.

South Bend pitchers issued eight walks, including four by Norberto, who left the game after one inning.

Seven of the ten runs in the first inning were unearned thanks to a dropped ball by first baseman Mike Mee, who was trying to catch a throw by second baseman Eli Rumler on a two-out ground ball by Kody Kaiser.

West Michigan equaled its team record for runs on Opening Day (15-4 win at Lansing on April 5, 2001) and the Whitecaps flirted with what would have been their most lopsided shutout victory ever, had the 15-0 lead held.

Two runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth pushed the lead to 15.

Clayton Conner and Ramon Ramirez each drove in runs with hits for South Bend.

Thursday marked the first time since 2004 that the Whitecaps have won a season opener (11-3 at Dayton, April 8, 2004).

Where'd you find that article? I was on whitecaps-baseball.com or whatever it is and saw nothing.
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Oh, okay. Thanks. I copied your format for the other milb teams' threads. The Sea Wolves schedule isn't updated yet though. I'll work on that later. I'm too lazy to do anything else tonight.
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Thanks!
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Ninth inning rally slides ‘Caps past ‘Hawks

April 4th, 2008

SOUTH BEND, IN – Two errors to lead off the top of the ninth inning led to the tying and go-ahead runs as the Whitecaps trailed for most of the game, but rallied past South Bend, 2-1.

Kyle Peter reached base to lead off the top of the ninth on a fielding error by second baseman Eli Rumler. The next batter, Justin Henry tried to bunt, but popped up the pitch. However, Silver Hawks reliever Billy Spottiswood dropped the pop up about 20-feet in front of home plate. The ball rolled into foul ground and allowed Peter to reach third while Henry advanced to second.

Two batters later, Chris Carlson hit a ground ball to third that allowed Peter to score and tie the game. Ronnie Bourquin then came through with the go-ahead RBI single to right.

Bryan Augenstein pitched the first eight innings of the game for South Bend and allowed four hits with no walks and seven strikeouts.

Alfredo Figaro was the starting pitcher for West Michigan. He lasted just five innings, but yielded only two hits and one unearned run.

The only South Bend run of the night came in the fourth when Clayton Conner tripled with two out and scored on an error by Henry at second base.

Wilton Garcia tossed two innings of scoreless relief in his Whitecaps debut.

South Bend has committed eight errors in the first two games of the season.

The Whitecaps have a team ERA of 1.00 for the season as the Silver Hawks scored a pair of earned runs late in West Michigan’s season-opening 15-2 triumph on Thursday.

Tigers are now 4-4....

Minor league teams: 4-0
Detroit Tigers: 0-4
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Unbeaten Whitecaps win see-saw battle

April 5th, 2008

SOUTH BEND, IN – The Whitecaps fell behind early, took a three-run lead and slipped back into a tie before coming through with a 5-4 victory in South Bend.

West Michigan is 3-0 to start the season for the second time in team history and for the first time since a 6-0 start in 2001.

Mark McBratney went 3-for-4 for West Michigan with an RBI double in the fifth inning that gave the ‘Caps a 3-1 lead and an RBI single in the seventh that put the Whitecaps ahead for good. McBratney also scored in the fifth.

Justin Henry was 2-for-4 with a double. Henry stole two bases and scored following a single in the fifth inning.

Joe Tucker delivered an RBI single to drive in McBratney and cap a three-run rally in the fifth, which put West Michigan on top, 4-1.

South Bend rallied for three runs in the sixth inning. Aaron Hanke led off the frame with the first Silver Hawks home run of the season. Reliever Andrew Hess allowed two more ‘Hawks to reach base in the inning before Santo Mieses came on to pitch. Mieses threw a wild pitch that allowed Clayton Conner to score from second. Ramon Ramirez then followed with an RBI single, which tied the game, 4-4.

Mieses managed to finish the sixth and pitched the seventh to earn the win.

Rudy Darrow threw a perfect eighth inning for West Michigan and has not allowed a base runner in three innings of work this season. Noah Krol made his Whitecaps debut held South Bend scoreless in the ninth to earn a save. Krol led the New York-Penn League last season with 17 saves for the Oneonta Tigers.

Tom Layne, who tossed 1.2 innings and allowed the run in the seventh, took the loss for the Silver Hawks.

Sweep completed behind Carlson’s bat

April 6th, 2008

SOUTH BEND, IN – By the fourth inning, Chris Carlson was a triple away from
hitting for the cycle. He finished 4-for-5 with four RBI as the Whitecaps completed a four game sweep to open the season with an 11-5 trouncing of South Bend.

For the second time in team history, the Whitecaps are 4-0 to start a season. The 2001 team began the year 6-0.

Carlson capped a three-run rally in the first inning with his first home run of the year, a two-run shot. In the fourth, West Michigan used seven hits, including a two-run double by Carlson to deliver a six-run inning and build a 9-2 advantage.

Lauren Gagnier made his first start of the season for West Michigan and struck out seven but allowed three walks and just two hits in 3.2 innings of work. Paul Nardozzi was awarded the victory after spending three innings on the mound, even though he allowed three unearned runs in the seventh.

Homer, Michigan native Josh Collmenter was the starting pitcher for South Bend and left the field to a standing ovation from a large contingent of fans in attendance wearing Homer High School gear. However, the Central Michigan University product allowed nine runs on 12 hits in 3.2 innings of work and suffered the loss.

Kelvin Cedano pitched the final 2.1 innings for the Whitecaps and held the Silver Hawks scoreless on two hits.

Audy Ciriaco also went deep for the Whitecaps as part of a 3-for-5 performance.

Ronnie Bourquin drove in a pair of West Michigan runs and went 3-for-5. Two hits each game from Joe Tucker and Justin Henry.

South Bend committed five errors in the game and 15 in the series, although all 11 of the ‘Caps runs Sunday were earned.

West Michigan outhit the ‘Hawks in the series, 46-22 and out-scored South Bend, 33-12.

Whitecaps!!

Wells leads offense in home-opening win

April 7th, 2008

COMSTOCK PARK – The West Michigan Whitecaps are 5-0 and are within a game of matching the best start in team history following an 11-1 drubbing of Great Lakes in the ‘Caps home opener.

Casper Wells led the 14-hit West Michigan attack by going 4-for-5 with a pair of home runs and four RBI. Wells hit solo shots to lead off both the third and sixth innings and delivered a two-run single in the seventh. He is the first Whitecaps to hit two home runs in one game at Fifth Third Ballpark since Kelly Hunt on August 27, 2004 versus Wisconsin.

Jon Kibler made his first start as a Whitecap and tossed five innings with three hits and one unearned run allowed. The Michigan State product also struck out four and yielded no walks.

Every player in the West Michigan lineup either recorded a hit or reached base except for third baseman Ronnie Bourquin who had collected at least one RBI in each of his first four games.

Chris Carlson had two doubles while Audy Ciriaco and Kody Kaiser each had RBI triples. Eight of the Whitecaps’ 14 hits went for extra bases.

In the first five games of the season, the Whitecaps have out hit the opposition, 60-27 and have outscored opponents, 44-13, including three games with a double-digit run output.

Santo Mieses relieved Kibler and tossed three perfect innings for West Michigan. Andrew Hess threw a scoreless ninth for the ‘Caps.

Mark McBratney went 3-for-5 and scored four runs for the Whitecaps.

The only Loons run of the night came on a sacrifice fly by Erik Kanaby. Joseph Becker scored on the play. He reached base on an error to start the third inning.

Travis Vetters went 2-for-3 to account for half of the Loons’ four hits.

They're still perfect! applaud

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