Lockwood-Powell’s Five RBI, Guides Great Lakes to Series Split

MIDLAND, Mich. – A Sunday shootout saw the Great Lakes Loons (7-8) edge the South Bend Cubs (9-6), 10-8, on an overcast 41-degree afternoon at Dow Diamond.

Griffin Lockwood-Powell delivered a grand slam, the highlight of a six-run bottom of the fourth. The most runs in a single inning for Great Lakes this season.

Dalton Rushing began the barrage with a high flyball over the right-field fence. His solo homer was the third of the series. Alex Freeland singled, Damon Keith walked, and an Austin Gauthier base knock loaded the bases for Lockwood-Powell.

South Bend starter Kohl Franklin faced the minimum through the first three, striking out six. Things went south in the fourth.

The Cubs did tally the game’s first run posting three consecutive hits in the third. A single from Kevin Made with two on only produced one following a strong throw by centerfielder Damon Keith and a runner tagged out at the plate. An additional run was plated in the fourth, on a Scott McKeon RBI double, the runner reached on an error. Loons starter Adolfo Ramirez did complete four innings.

Jack Dreyer tossed a scoreless fifth with a 6-2 lead and earned the win. South Bend trimmed the deficit with a McKeon two-run blast in the sixth off Reinaldo De Paula. Christian Suarez battled around a walk and balk, permitting only one in the seventh that brought it to a 6-5 score.

The Great Lakes offense once again then popped off. After two walks, Alex Freeland sliced a double down the right-field line, plating two. A wild pitch and Lockwood-Powell single gave the Loons 10 runs. Lockwood-Powell accounted for half of them.

The Cubs didn’t go down without a fight. Kevin Made took Michael Hobbs deep, a three-run shot that made it 10-8.

Jake Pilarksi got the ninth and shut the door. His sixth appearance netted his fourth save with two strikeouts.

Following an off-day, the Loons head to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to take on the Fort Wayne TinCaps in a six-game series. Tuesday, April 25th will see a first pitch time of 6:35.

The Great Lakes Loons have been the Single-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 ESPN 100.9-FM. For tickets or information about the Loons, call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.