Lansing Lugnuts at South Bend SilverHawks
April 5th, 2002
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3 |
7 |
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| South Bend |
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E-Cedeno, LOB LAN-7, SB-3, 2B-Cedeno, Bouras, Mallory, Coats, Loeb, Hairston, HR-Vugteveen (Wynegar), HBP-Miliano, Loeb, GIDP-Arteaga
HB-Wynegar, Bulger, WP-Ramirez, PB-Loeb, SO-Arteaga, Cedeno, Johnson, Bouras 2, Mallory 2, Miliano, Haydel, Janz, Barrett 2, Garcia, BB-Slavik, Miliano, Coats, Lopez, DiRosa
U-Hanson, Barry
T-2:35, A-621
Lansing State Journal
The Lugnuts could not overcome an early 7-0 deficit and suffered their first defeat of the season to the South Bend SilverHawks, 8-3 on Friday.
The SilverHawks scored first in the bottom of the second inning when Scott Hairston reached on an throwing error by shortstop Ronny Cedeno, and Dustin Vugteveen followed with a two run homer off Lugnuts starting pitcher Adam Wynegar.
South Bend went on to add three more runs in the fourth and two more in the fourth and two more in the fifth to grab a 7-0 lead and end Wynegar's first start of the year.
Buck Coats singles in the sixth inning and scored from second on a two out single by J.J. Johnson to end a shutout bid by SilverHawks starter Jason Bulger.
Coats finished 2 for 3 with a double and two runs scored.
The Lugnuts loaded the bases with one out in the top of the ninth, trailing 8-3.
But second baseman Josh Arteaga bounced into a game ending double play.
South Bend Tribune
by Matt Kopsea
Dustin Vugteveen's first hit in a South Bend SilverHawks uniform was one he will definitely remember.
After coming up empty in his first two plate appearances in Thursday's opener the South Bend designated hitter more than redeemed himself Friday by connecting for a two run homer in the second inning to help the SilverHawks to an 8-3 triumph over Lansing in Midwest League action at chilly Coveleski Stadium.
In addition to his blast over the left field fence, Vugteveen contributed a two run single in the fourth inning before finishing off his big night with his third hit and fifth RBI in the eighth to help the Hawks even their record at 1-1.
"I guess tonight wound up being my turn to come up big at the plate." said the Grandville, Michigan native, "As cold as it was out there (32 degrees), I didn't think there was no way I or anyone was going to hit a home run tonight. At first I thought it was just a deep fly ball to left field, so I took off running as fast as I could and hoped I could at least reach second base. When I saw the ball had left the park. I was probably as suprised as everyone else around was."
Someone not suprised by Vugteveen's performance was South Bend manager Dick Schofield.
"Dustin swung the bat good during spring training, so we knew the potential was there," Schofield said, "He is someone we were hoping could produce for us and if tonight was any indication of things to come, we should be in for a pretty good season."
While Vugteveen was getting the job done at the plate. South Bend starting pitcher Jason Bulger proved to be just as impressive in his professional debut.
The right hander showed why he was Arizona's first pick and the 22nd player overall taken in last year's draft. He allowed just one unearned run and three hits while striking out six over six innings.
"It really didn't take me long to get into a groove tonight because I think I was more anxious than nervous once I finally got out there." Bulger said, "I thought I had really good command of my fastball, but getting my change up across also helped. It (change up) allowed me to keep the hitters off balance, which also let me stay ahead in the count for most the night."
After taking advantage of a one out miscue by Lansing shortstop Ronny Cedeno in the opening frame, the Hawks capitalized on Lansing starter Adam Wynegar's control problems to build on their lead in the fourth.
Bryan Loeb got the ball rolling in the three run outburst by being hit by a pitch. Second baseman Scott Hairston accounted for the first tally with an RBI double, while Vugteveen drove home his third and fourth runs of the evening with a solid single to centerfield.
"I am seeing the ball very well right now and have a lot of confidence at the plate," Vugteveen said. "We had everything going our way tonight, which is hopefully a sign of good things to come for us."
The five run custion proved to be more than enough for Bulger who retired 12 of the 13 batters he faced during the second through sixth innings.
Bulger (1-0) lost his bid for a shutout in the sixth when Lansing leftfielder Buck Coats singled, moved to second base on a passed ball, and came home on J.J. Johnson's two out run scoring single.
"This is probably the longest Jason has pitched in terms of innings this season." Schofield said, "He was right on his pitch count, though, because he had all three of his pitches (fastball, curve and change up) working effectively for him."
Hairston finished with two hits, while Loeb drove in two runs with a double in the fifth inning.
"Having guys like Loeb and Vugteveen coming through at the plate really made my job much easier", Bulger said, "Going out to the mound with a five run lead is a lot better because you don't feel like every pitch has to be perfect."
Johnson led Lansing with two hits and two RBIs, while Coats had two hits.