Silverhawks win it in ninth

Matt Oxendine drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning, sending the South Bend Silverhawks to a 4-3 victory over the Great Lakes Loons Thursday night and spoiling standout games from Given Kutz and Alex Garabedian.

Garabedian drove in the Loons’ first runs of the game with a two-run homer in the sixth inning, tying the score at two-each. It was his first home run of the season.

South Bend responded by taking a 3-2 lead in the bottom half of the inning on a run-producing single to left by Detroit-native Derrick Walker. But Garabedian tied the score again with his first triple of the year, driving home Alfredo Silverio.

Loons starter Given Kutz pitched well but did not factor in the decision. He pitched eight innings, the most by a Loons pitcher this season, allowing three runs, striking out six.

Miguel Sanfler relieved Kutz in the ninth inning with the game tied at three. Walker led off the inning with a double, then advanced to third on a fly ball to right field by Chance Wheeless. The Loons then intentionally walked Conrad Schmidt. Ramon Ramirez followed with an infield pop out. Evan Frey walked with two outs to load the bases. Then on the first pitch he saw from Sanfler, Oxendine lined a single into center past shortstop Joe Becker to score Walker with the game-winning run.

The Loons begin their final series of the first half Friday night at Dow Diamond against the Lansing Lugnuts. Gametime is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. after the championship of the Hometown Hitter Competition, which begins at 6:10 p.m.