Copen Returns and K’s Nine, Loons Pitching Walks 11 in 8-1 Loss to Captains
MIDLAND, Mich. – The Great Lakes Loons (0-1) opened their 2025 season with a run in the first inning but were held off the board the rest of the way against the Lake County Captains (1-0). The Loons lost 8-1 on a chilly 45-degree Friday night at Dow Diamond. -
MIDLAND, Mich. – The Great Lakes Loons (0-1) opened their 2025 season with a run in the first inning but were held off the board the rest of the way against the Lake County Captains (1-0). The Loons lost 8-1 on a chilly 45-degree Friday night at Dow Diamond.
- Patrick Copen struck out a MiLB career-high nine batters through 3.2 innings. On August 20, 2024, Copen took a comebacker off the face leading to surgery and ending his season. 228 days later, the right-hander touched 99 mph with his fastball.
- The Loons grabbed the first lead of the contest. Josue De Paula had an infield single followed by a catcher’s interference that put two on. Great Lakes executed a double steal, with De Paula taking third base and an errant throw into left, putting the Loons ahead.
- Great Lakes would strand six runners from the second through the fourth inning. Lake County’s Matt Wilkinson struck out five across three innings.
- Lake County reached seven times through the first five innings with six walks and an error, but they were held without a hit.
- The Captains would amass a combined eight runs off eight hits in the next two innings.
- Two walks and a single loaded the bases in the sixth. Wuilfredo Antunez hit an RBI single, and Juan Benjamin looped a double up the left-field line.
- Two walks started the top of the seventh. After a strikeout, the Captains strung together five straight hits. Two wild pitches were the bookend runs in a six-run frame.
- Livan Reinoso finished the final two innings, facing the minimum needing only 20 pitches.
Rounding Things Out
The Loons are now 8-10 all-time in opening-day games.
Up Next
Great Lakes and Lake County are back to action tomorrow afternoon Saturday, April 5th. The first pitch is at 1:05 pm.
The Great Lakes Loons have been a partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers since the team’s inception in 2007. Dow Diamond serves as the team’s home and also houses the Michigan Baseball Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity, and Sports Radio 100.9 The Mitt. For tickets or information about the Loons, call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.
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Captains Crush Loons 13-2, De Paula Homers for Great Lakes
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Hope Homers & Auger Earns Win in Pro Debut
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