Mud Hens and Whitecaps each win playoff openers

Toledo Mud Hens 10, Durham Bulls 3 (box)

The Hens offense erupted right out of the gate, scoring four in the first and building a nearly insurmountable lead to take Game 1 of their Governor’s Cup semifinals series. Willi Castro, Daz Cameron, and Harold Castro all had RBI hits in the first inning. Jason Krizan closed out the early scoring with a solo shot that made it 8-2 Hens after four innings. Ryan Carpenter did a nice job holding Durham in check over six innings of work. He allowed two runs while striking out six Bulls.

Cameron: 3-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB

Kozma: 2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B, BB

Carpenter (W): 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 6 SO

Coming up next: The Hens send Jacob Turner to the mound in Game 2. The Bulls counter with Austin Pruitt. First pitch is set for 6:35pm ET.

West Michigan Whitecaps 6, Great Lakes Loons 0 (box)

Brad Bass came through for the Whitecaps in Game 1 of the Midwest League Quarterfinals. The big right-hander went seven innings, blanking the Loons on six hits and seven strikeouts. Meanwhile, the offense did a nice job getting on base, and were able to make the Loons pay for their mistakes. An errant pickup throw allowed Reece Hampton to scamper home with the Caps’ first run in the first inning. They came back for more in the fourth, when a sac fly and a throwing error brought Brady Policelli and Anthony Pereira home to score. When Chris Proctor cleared the bases with a three-run double in the sixth, this one was all over. Drew Crosby wrapped up the final two innings without issue.

Policelli: 2-4, 2 R, SB

Proctor: 1-3, 3 RBI, 2B, BB, SO

Bass (W): 7.0 IP, 6 H, 7 SO

Coming up next: Action moves up to Midland, as the Whitecaps send Wilkel Hernandez against the Loons’ John Rooney.