West Michigan Notebook Week 22:

It was only fitting.

For the fourth time in the West Michigan Whitecaps’ franchise history and the first time since 2017, the Whitecaps clinched the second half of the regular season, leading to both Eastern Division titles for 2025.

Entering their final regular-season home stand against Fort Wayne this week, West Michigan sits five wins shy of tying their franchise-best 92 wins set in 1997.

The first round of the postseason will begin September 9, although at print, the Whitecaps’ opponent has yet to be determined. The best-of-three Division Series will begin with one game on the road for West Michigan and will end with a pair of games at LMCU Ballpark (if necessary).

GAME 1 – West Michigan: 2, Great Lakes: 1

If you were looking for offense in game one of the series against West Michigan and Great Lakes…well, there wasn’t much to come by. The rehabbing Lael Lockhart got the start for West Michigan, holding Great Lakes scoreless through 4 ⅔ innings, walking a pair and striking out four. At the plate for the ‘Caps, a sacrifice fly from Brett Callahan to score Izaac Pacheco put West Michigan on the board first in the second inning. Then, it got pretty quiet. Great Lakes was able to answer back in the sixth inning, thanks to an RBI single from Zyhir Hope, but an RBI double from Jackson Strong lifted West Michigan to a 2-1 lead, and that proved enough to lock in a game one win for West Michigan.

Jackson Strong shoots a go-ahead RBI double to right center (on his birthday) but huge credit to Austin Murr who channels his inner Edwin Moses and pulls off a spectacular hurdle over the catcher. pic.twitter.com/k1Tfkqj0kQ

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) August 27, 2025

GAME 2 – Great Lakes: 6, West Michigan: 2

Known for being one of the more fierce rivalries in the Midwest League, Great Lakes didn’t take kindly to the game one loss and came into game two ready to go offensively. West Michigan starter Rayner Castillo only lasted 3 ⅓ innings, allowing four earned runs off seven hits to the Loons lineup. In relief, Duque Hebbert faced struggles of his own, giving up an additional pair of runs to Great Lakes. The West Michigan offense was held silent until the sixth inning, where a two-RBI single from Brett Callahan put West Michigan on the board, but unfortunately, that would be the only offense the Whitecaps would tap into for the evening, and dropped game two to Great Lakes.

Epic, Murr 🤯

(Thanks to the @greatlakesloons for the photos and the alternate angle ✌️) pic.twitter.com/bmYlGVmqLS

— West Michigan Whitecaps (@wmwhitecaps) August 27, 2025

GAME 3 – West Michigan: 2, Great Lakes: 1

It wouldn’t be a true 2025 Whitecaps’ season without finding a way to squeeze in another extra-innings game…especially against their rival, Great Lakes. An RBI single from Izaac Pacheco started the night for West Michigan in the first inning, and Great Lakes answered back that same inning with a sacrifice fly from Zyhir Hope to score Kendall George, and the two clubs were all tied up at one a piece. After that, it turned into a good, old-fashioned pitcher’s duel. The two pitching staffs combined for eight scoreless innings, forcing some free baseball in Midland. At the top of the 10th, as he’s done so many times this season for West Michigan, a clutch RBI single from Patrick Lee gave the ‘Caps a 2-1 lead, and the Loons were not able to respond.

Jack Penney with the full extension dive at second base to make the first out of the inning. pic.twitter.com/dHG7eRmMfR

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) August 29, 2025

GAME 4 – Great Lakes: 8, West Michigan: 1

For game four, the Loons came to play, and they did it in force. West Michigan starter Preston Howey was roughed up over his 3 ⅓ frames, allowing three earned runs, walking five, and striking out a pair. Howey was the first of seven West Michigan arms used for the evening, as the Loons powered their way to eight runs against the Whitecaps’ pitching staff. Offensively, West Michigan was held to just four hits on the night, but Izaac Pacheco made the most of it, punching his 16th home run of the year in the fourth inning for the ‘Caps. The Loons’ offensive showcase locked them in for taking the fourth game of the series.

Izaac Pacheco gets a slider and launches a solo homer to right to tie the game for West Michigan. pic.twitter.com/3Fu4j8bBnc

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) August 30, 2025

GAME 5 – Great Lakes: 6, West Michigan: 4

While the West Michigan pitching staff fell victim to walks issued once again, the ‘Caps offense proved a bit more locked in for game five. Garrett Pennington posted his 12th double of the season for West Michigan, while Jack Penney added a double and his first triple of the season. Penney, Pennington and Brett Callahan each posted a multi-hit night, including Callahan’s fourth triple of the year, and another stolen base from Woody Hadeen brought his stolen base total to 12 in the Midwest League since his promotion. Despite the nine West Michigan hits, a six-run campaign for the Loons proved to be more than West Michigan could overcome and the ‘Caps dropped game five.

Brett Callahan ties things for West Michigan with an RBI triple into the right corner. pic.twitter.com/pjywNruUhi

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) August 31, 2025

GAME 6 – West Michigan: 7, Great Lakes: 2

As has been the case all season, if you give the West Michigan offense some wiggle room, they have no trouble taking it and making you regret your decision pretty quickly. Lael Lockhart was back for another rehab start for West Michigan and did not disappoint. The 27-year-old went five scoreless for the ‘Caps, extending his scoreless streak with West Michigan to extend his rehab campaign scoreless streak to 18 straight innings between Lakeland and West Michigan. The West Michigan offense locked in for 12 combined hits, including doubles from Jack Penney and Garrett Pennington and the 24th double of the year for Izaac Pacheco, setting a new single-season career high for the 22-year-old. Brett Callahan knocked his eighth home run of the year in the sixth inning, and with the Loons unable to match the pace, the ‘Caps not only locked in a series finale win, but also clinched the second half title for the Eastern Division, giving them a division sweep for the season.

Brett Callahan smashes his 8th home run of the season to put West Michigan up 5-0. pic.twitter.com/anXTpNQd1E

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) August 31, 2025

Up Next: Tonight, the Whitecaps begin their final home stand before preparing to enter the postseason. West Michigan will host Fort Wayne for six games at LMCU to end the regular season.

Pitcher of the Week: RHP Carlos Lequerica

For the amount of success he’s seen this season, Carlos Lequerica continues to work as a silent assassin coming out of the West Michigan bullpen. Carrying a 2.31 ERA over 50 ⅔ innings, the 24-year-old Miami alum has only allowed one earned run in August for the Whitecaps. If Lequerica doesn’t receive a jump to Erie before the end of the year, you can fully expect him in the Eastern League to start the 2026 regular season.

Player of the Week: INF Jack Penney

With the flurry of infield promotions for the Whitecaps, Penney’s consistency on both sides of the ball has been a welcome contribution towards the end of their historic season. Working primarily as a second baseman, the 23-year-old can slot in at shortstop, giving some versatility to his defensive profile. The Notre Dame alum has shown some offensive muscle in his second professional season with 10 doubles, a triple, and five home runs, and looks to have some room to add on a bit more power at the plate.

Whitecap to Watch: OF Brett Callahan

The Tigers’ 2023 13th-round pick has been a pleasant surprise this season on both sides of the ball. Drawing early offensive attention, Callahan’s power at the plate is hard to ignore. The 23-year-old’s swing may not be defined as smooth, but his production has led to single-season career highs in triples, home runs, and RBI during his campaign with the Whitecaps this season. He’s absolutely an offensive name to watch going into 2026.