LocalSportsJournal.com

After falling to Dayton 10-8 on Wednesday, the West Michigan Whitecaps returned home on Thursday and defeated South Bend 3-2 to improve to 4-4 on the season.

West Michigan fell behind 7-2 after two innings against Dayton, but responded with a five run inning in the fifth and built ab 8-7 lead through six innings. However, Dayton scored three runs in the bottom of the eight to take a lead it wouldn’t surrender.

On Wednesday, Cam Gibson and Jacob Robson each led the offense with two hits and two runs scored. Bryan Garcia took the loss, surrendering three runs on three hits in one inning.

On Thursday night, West Michigan fell behind 2-0 to South Bend in the third inning before plating three runs in the sixth inning to take its final lead.

Blaise Salter and Col Baumi each had RBI singles in the inning for West Michigan.

Robson once again led the Whitecaps’ offense, this time with three hits and one run scored.

Alfred Gutierrez picked up the win for West Michigan, pitching 2 1/3 innings in relief while striking out two hitters and surrendering two hits. Joe Navilhon picked up his first save of the season, pitching a clean ninth inning, striking out two of the three hitters he faced.

West Michigan will host the second game of its three game series with South Bend on Friday night at 6:35 p.m.