Devil Rays Top Lugnuts in Extra Innings

Battle Creek, Mich.- Devil Rays' manager Skeeter Barnes decided to roll the dice in the bottom of the 12th inning when he called for a squeeze play from his batter Hunter Vick. Vick laid the bunt down just far enough in front of the plate to allow John Matulia to race home from third and score the winning run as Southwest Michigan defeated the Lansing Lugnuts 2-1 at C.O. Brown Stadium Saturday afternoon.

The two teams were locked in a scoreless tie until the fifth when a Sean Shoffit groundout to second base plated Brian Bormaster to give Lansing a 1-0 lead.

Southwest Michigan (1-2) knotted the score in the sixth inning when Ryan Bethel drew a bases loaded walk from the Lugnuts' starter Russ Savickas. The Devil Rays would leave the bases full when the next batter Rhyne Hughes flew out to left field to end the inning.

Savickas finished the game with a no-decision after tossing 5 2/3 innings and allowing one run on three hits while fanning four.

Wade Davis started the game for Southwest Michigan. He went four solid innings, allowing one run on three hits as well.

Lansing's (2-1) bullpen season opening streak of 13 2/3 scoreless innings ended when Matulia scored the winning run in the 12th. Aaron Tressler (0-1) took the loss for the Lugnuts while Chris kline picked up the win for Southwest Michigan (1-0).

The two teams will complete their season opening four game set on Sunday afternoon at C.O. Brown Stadium beginning at 3:35 p.m. Adrian Martin will take the bump for the Lugnuts, while Greg Reinhard will hurl for the Devil Rays.