| Friday, May 28, 2010 For Immediate Release |
Contact: Jesse Goldberg-Strassler ( 517) 485-4500 ext. 233 |
Silver Hawks stave off Lugnuts' rallies, 8-6
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The South Bend Silver Hawks (22-27) scored six runs in the second inning and held off the Lansing Lugnuts (28-20), 8-6, on Friday night at Stanley Coveleski Regional Stadium.
The Nuts have lost six of their last nine games following an eight-game winning streak.
The Lugnuts cut the Silver Hawks' initial 6-0 lead to 6-5 with four runs in the sixth inning, then mounted a second threat in the ninth inning against South Bend closer Yonata Ortega.
Kenny Wilson led off with a double and Ryan Schimpf scored him with an RBI triple, bringing the tying run to the plate. Ortega bore down and struck out Ryan Goins and Mark Sobolewski. After a walk to Brad McElroy, Sean Ochinko grounded into a game-ending forceout.
Eric Smith (4-3) earned the win, allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits in six innings. Ortega notched his 11th save.
Lansing starter Dave Sever (1-2) shouldered the loss, done in by the fateful second inning. The first eight Silver Hawks batters each reached in the at-bat, including a Chris Owings two-run double and a Bobby Borchering two-run single.
In defeat, Schimpf hit his third home run of the year but also committed two errors on the same play, gifting the Silver Hawks two important insurance runs in the seventh inning.
Lugnuts right fielder Brad McElroy went 2-for-4 with a walk to extend his on-base streak to 22 consecutive games.
The Nuts and Hawks play the second game of their four-game series on Saturday at 5:30 p.m., with Lansing left-hander Evan Crawford (3-1, 3.32) opposing 18-year-old South Bend right-hander Scottie Allen (1-1, 2.61).
Tickets to all Lugnuts home games are available for purchase online at www.lansinglugnuts.com, at the stadium box office, and by calling 517-485-4500.
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