Fort Wayne Wizards at South Bend Silver Hawks
April 8th, 2004
| Fort Wayne |
|
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
|
3 |
6 |
4 |
| South Bend |
|
|
0 |
7 |
0 |
|
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
0 |
2 |
X |
|
|
12 |
16 |
1 |
E-Montero, Walhbrink, Valenzuela, Adams, Ciriaco, LOB FW-6, SB-8, 2B-McRoberts, Frazier 2, HR-Varela 2, Frazier, SB-Cook
HBP-Morton (Vicente), WP-Hayhurst, PB-Morton
U-Cory Blaser, Gregory Tucker
T-2:45, A-2,657
South Bend Tribune
by Forrest Miller
Season openers often don't produce ideal results, bu there was little to criticize about the South Bend SilverHawks' opening night performance Thursday.
Superb starting pitching, a 16 hit attack that including three homers and an almost perfect defense powered the SilverHawks to a 12-3 Midwest League romp over Fort Wayne at Coveleski Stadium.
"We've got 139 games to go. You'll see some good ones and some bad ones," said manager Tony Perezchica. "I felt good about this team coming out of spring training and tonight we had everything working."
William Juarez allowed three hits, struck out six and walked one in a six inning starting assignment. His numbers were superb, 61 strikes out of 84 pitches and first pitch strikes to 17 of t he 22 batters he faced.
"You do that at any level, you'll get a lot of guys out," said Perezchica. "I've said all along that he throws strikes consistently and dosne't waste many pitches."
A native of Nicaragua, Juarez said pitching in 45 degree weather was a new experience for him. "I was trying to keep moving and trying to get ahead early in the count," said Juarez. through his battery mate and interpreter Miguel Montero. "When you can get ahead, the breaking ball is much more effective."
Jared Liebeck, Ryan Coffin and Ruben Vicente finished up with an inning apiece in relief.
Designated hitter, Alex Frazier was 4 for 5 with two doubles and a home run, while first baseman Edgar Varela launched two homers.
"I was off to a shaky start the first three at bats (two strikeouts and a pop up), but I got it out of my system." said Varela. "Being from California, I haven't played much in this kind of weather, but I can remember a couple games in the Sally (South Atlantic League). I'm not used to it though."
Varela's first homer led off the sixth inning, off the first pitch thrown by Fort Wayne reliever Jake Upwood. The second came with two outs in the eighth. "They both were hit off fast balls up a little bit, and they were two pitched I was looking for," added Varela.
A seven run, 12 batter second inning pitch the SilverHawks in good shape quickly. Consecutive singles by Frazier, Montero and Carlos Gonzalez ignited the spree. The Wizards contributed three errors, booting two potential double play balls. Emilio Bonifacio and Augie Murillo also had hits before Frazier and Montero contributed their second hits of the inning.
Hits by Lino Garcia and Jeff Cook, plus and error, game the Silver Hawks two more in the fifth. Eddie Bonine, the first of five Fort Wayne pitchers, took the loss.