[dropcap]A[/dropcap]fter winning the first two games of the series, the West Michigan Whitecaps were able to sweep the Dayton Dragons, defeating them by a final score of 1-0 in a 11-inning game at Fifth Third Ballpark.
With a season-best 8,161 fans in attendance, West Michigan (31-24) got another dominating pitching performance by Buck Farmer, who leads the Midwest League in strikeouts.
Dominic Ficociello kick-started the rally that led the West Michigan Whitecaps to a walkoff win Friday night. Pit file photo
In a game that didn’t feature many offensive highlights, the Whitecaps were led by Dominic Ficociello who went 3-5 with a one-out single which would start the eventual game-winning rally. After Ficociello’s single, Jeff Holm walked before Wynton Bernard’s single loaded the bases for the Whitecaps. Two batters later, Bennett Pickar came through with a two-out single, allowing Ficociello to score the game-winning run.
With the 1-0 victory on Friday, West Michigan is now 15-7 in one-run games and 5-6 in extra-inning contests. No team in the Midwest League has played more of either game than the Whitecaps so far this year.
Joe Mantiply (4-1) picked up the win for the Whitecaps, pitching a perfect top of the 11th inning. It’s the second win Mantiply has picked up in the last three games.
Farmer started for the Whitecaps, shutting out the Dragons (27-26) for seven innings while striking out six batters and allowing two hits and one walk.
Dayton’s Amir Garret matched zeroes with Farmer, throwing six scoreless innings while striking out five batters and allowing three hits and three walks.
Ryan Kemp (1-3) took the loss, allowing one run in 1.2 innings
