[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he dual-efforts of Dominic Ficociello and Jonathon Crawford lifted the West Michigan Whitecaps to a 3-1 victory over the Peoria Chiefs Thursday night for their sixth consecutive win.
Ficociello was the offensive spark for the ‘Caps throughout the night, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and all three runs. He reached based with a leadoff hit and came around to score in each of his first three trips to the plate. Grayson Greiner was 2-for-3 with a walk while Francisco Contreras earned two RBIs to round out the offense.
Ficociello clubbed a ground-rule double in the second inning, down 1-0, and took the third on a groundball single by Greiner before scoring on a game-tying infield hit by Contreras. Ficociello mirrored the effort in the fourth after pulling a double inside the third base line before Griener’s single put runners at the corners. A fielder’s choice groundout by Contreras gave the ‘Caps a 2-1 lead.
The offensive production was enough for the outstanding West Michigan pitching staff. Crawford (5-2) battled through erratic command early but minimized damage before finding his groove. Crawford allowed just one hit on four hits over his five innings of work, setting down the final seven batters he faced with his sole strikeout ending the fifth.
In back-to-back nights, the Whitecaps bullpen dealt four shutout innings. Will LaMarche faced the minimum over three frames, allowing just one hit and fanning three. Scott Sitz (2) finished out the ninth, turning in a second strong outing since his first save April.
An insurance run in the sixth saw Ficociello spark a rally again with an infield single before ending up at third base after Griener drew a walk and Contreras bunted runners over. Willy Adames knocked a single to left that plated Ficociello but catching Greiner out at the plate.
Chase Brookshire (3-5) took the loss despite a good start for the Chiefs. He allowed three runs on eight hits over six innings.
The quick two hour and six minute game saw West Michigan improve their record to 17-9, 58-38 for a season-best 20 games over .500. They limited Peoria (16-10, 53-42) to just five hits. A win tonight would give the Whitecaps their ninth series sweep of the season.
First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight against Peoria. Buck Farmer (9-5, 2.79 ERA) will face RHP Black McKnight (5-7, 4.42 ERA) of Peoria.
