Wisconsin 1 @ South Bend 4
South Bend, IN
– The chant in the South Bend Silver
Hawks clubhouse after their 4-1 victory over the Wisconsin Timberrattlers in
game two of their best-of-series was, “We need one more.” More than anything,
it was a reminder the work of winning the Midwest League title was not complete,
but just part of their journey.
The Hawks got on the board first in
the second inning when Cesar Nicolas belted a home run to left field giving the
Hawks a 1-0 lead.
The Hawks and starter Ross Ohlendorf
were able to keep the Timberrattlers off the board until the fourth inning.
With one out, Oswaldo Navarro doubled to left field and advanced to third on an
Ohlendorf wild pitch. Jeff Clement then grounded out to second baseman Emilio Bonifacio scoring Navarro tying the game at one.
The game remained tied until the
bottom of the seventh. Carlos Gonzales opened with a walk and moved up 90 feet
on a Cesar Nicolas single to left field. After Augie Murillo flied out, Wilkin Castillo was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Orlando Mercado then reached on
a fielding error by third baseman Brandon Johnson allowing Carlos Gonzales to
score for a 2-1 South Bend lead. Jereme Milons then grounded into a force out
to score Nicolas from third advancing the Hawks lead to 3-1 and they closed the
inning on Brandon Simon’s bunt single to plate Castillo for a 4-1 lead.
South Bend’s Ross Ohlendorf (1-0) was the winner,
while Aaron Jensen (0-1) suffered the loss. Matt Elliott picked up his second
save of the series.
The Silver Hawks (6-0) continue the Midwest
League Championship Series Thursday night at Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton, WI,
when they face the Wisconsin Timberrattlers (4-3) in game three of the
best-of-five series. First pitch is slated for 6:35 PM.