Loons Hold Hawks to Two Hits

South Bend, IN - Three Great Lakes pitchers held the South Bend Silver Hawks to just two hits and the Loons won in convincing fashion for the second night in a row with a 9-1 victory Friday night at Coveleski Stadium. Over two games to start the season, Great Lakes has outscored the Silver Hawks 25 to six.

Unlike Thursday night, there was no early lead for the Silver Hawks on Friday. In fact, South Bend was without a hit for the first 6.2 innings until Alberto Diaz broke up the no-hit bid with a two-out single in the bottom of the seventh inning off of Andy Suiter (ND).

RHP Brett Wallach (WP, 1-0) kept the Hawks off balance early, tossing 5.0 hitless innings while striking out eight and walking three. In fact, the only reason that Wallach (the son of former Major Leaguer Tim Wallach) was lifted from the game was because he reached his pitch count earlier than expected.

Suiter and Steve Smith (ND) went the rest of the way for the Loons, allowing just two hits over the final four innings.

The Silver Hawks lone run was scored by Chris Owings after he reached on a strikeout and wild pitch, and then advanced around the bases on a single by David Nick and two more wild pitches.

The Loons had another big night at the plate, with four players collecting multiple hits. After a five-hit, five-RBI night on opening night, Blake Smith added two more hits and another RBI Friday to lead the offensive attack. Brian Cavazos-Galvez and Angelo Songco each had two RBIs for Great Lakes as well.

After a shaky first inning in which he allowed three runs (two earned), South Bend starter Charles Brewer (LP, 0-1) settled down and did not allow a run the rest of his 4.2 innings.

Reliever Brian Budrow (ND) was hit for one run in 1.2 innings, and then Bradin Hagens (ND) was charged with five runs in 1.1 innings of relief work. Keny Sosa (ND) held the Loons scoreless for the final 1.1 innings.

The three game series wraps up on Souvenir Saturday with a 5:30 PM Eastern Time first pitch at Coveleski Stadium. The first 500 fans 21 and older will receive a Silver Hawks Fleece Blanket presented by Michelob Ultra and WRBR The Bear 103.9 FM. RHP Eric Smith (0-3, 3.65 ERA in 2009 with Missoula and South Bend) will start for the Silver Hawks against RHP Allen Webster (4-1, 2.36 ERA in 2009) for the Loons. Pregame coverage begins at 5:10 PM Eastern Time on 1620 ESPN Radio and online at www.silverhawks.com.