And just like that, we’re reached the All-Star Break.
Following the series with the Lake County Captains, West Michigan finished with a 57-29 pre-break record, sitting in first place by a ten and a half game lead and currently holding the best record across both Midwest League divisions.
Prior to the break, the Whitecaps saw the departure of Max Clark, Kevin McGonigle and Josue Briceño, while catcher Hunter Dobbins, righthander Blair Calvo, righthander Dariel Fregio, infielder Samuel Gil, as well as adding the bats of outfielder Garrett Pennington and infielder/outfielder Woody Hadeen.
West Michigan will get a three-day rest, return to LMCU Ballpark for practice on Thursday and then head south to Lansing for a three-game series against the Lugnuts beginning on Friday. Returning to regular series form the following week, the Caps’ will head to Peoria for a six-game stretch, then back to LMCU for back-to-back home stands.
GAME 1 – West Michigan: 5, Lake County: 4
As has been the case with every series against Lake County this season, this one proved to be a tightly matched pairing. Izaac Pacheco started the night offensively for West Michigan with his 17th double of the year to score John Peck. Garrett Pennington followed up with a single to score Pacheco and the ‘Caps got an early lead. West Michigan starter Rayner Castillo hit a rough patch, surrendering three earned runs off six hits, including two home runs over four innings of work. A three-run third inning, including runs scored by John Peck, Garrett Pennington and Izaac Pacheco game West Michigan a lead and the Whitecaps, thanks to four scoreless innings by the West Michigan bullpen proved enough to hold off the Captains for a game one victory.
104 MPH off the bat of Izzac Pacheco as West Michigan has hit back to back doubles pic.twitter.com/iDPilgDAnH
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) July 8, 2025
GAME 2 – West Michigan: 10, Lake County: 9
Game two proved to be an offensive battle with West Michigan and Lake County combining for 26 hits on the night. Lake County got the early lead, scoring five runs over the second through fifth innings, but, as they say, don’t let the ‘Caps get hot and…well, Lake County missed the memo. Peyton Graham started the sixth inning with his second triple of the season, scoring three in what would turn into an eight-run sixth for West Michigan. Despite a four-run push by Lake County late, West Michigan was able to hold on for their second straight series win. Out of the bullpen for the ’Caps, righthander Dariel Fregio picked up his first High-A win and righthander Preston Howel secured his fourth save of the year.
Woody Hadeen makes a nice over-the-shoulder grab in shallow left center. @ThatDanHasty on the call. pic.twitter.com/TueZXTjyoS
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) July 9, 2025
GAME 3 – Lake County: 5, West Michigan: 4
In an oddly uneventful middle point of the series, West Michigan pitching struggled to find a rhythm and the offense was held to just six hits overall. Austin Murr posted his fourth home run of the year and doubles from Peyton Graham and Bennett Lee combined for the only extra-base hits for the ‘Caps and newbie Woody Hadeen locked in the first two High-A RBI and first High-A stolen base of his career. Alongside Hadeen, John Peck added his 14th stolen base of the season and Peyton Graham added his 11th of the season. Despite a four-run fifth inning for the ‘Caps, three runs for Lake County to end the night resulted in the first series loss for West Michigan.
Woody Haden’s first High-A hit brings home two runs and puts the Whitecaps up 4-2. pic.twitter.com/Zj67fWJS9c
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) July 11, 2025
GAME 4 – West Michigan: 12, Lake County: 2
Thanks to a monster night at the plate for infielder Andrew Jenkins, the ‘Caps got hot and got hot quick. The offense came screaming out of the gate with a seven-run first inning, including the seventh home run of the year for Seth Stephenson off the first pitch of the night and a grand slam for Jenkins. John Peck posted his 16th double of the season and Izaac Pacheco added his 18th to push him within five doubles of tying his regular season career high. A three-hit night for Peck and a four-hit, five RBI night for Jenkins contributed to 16 hits overall for the West Michigan offense. On the mound, Max Alba was locked in, tossing six scoreless frames, allowing two hits and striking out four without a walk. Another three runs in the fourth inning positioned the ‘Caps for a 12-2 victory and Alba’s second win of the season.
Seth Stephenson crushes a leadoff homer to left to give the Whitecaps an early lead. pic.twitter.com/ZXMAKaIxDj
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) July 11, 2025
GAME 5 – Lake County: 8, West Michigan: 5
In game five, the offensive favor shifted back in the Captains’ direction. Lake County combined for a 14-hit, 7-RBI evening and tagging West Michigan starter Andrew Sears for four earned runs off seven hits in his four innings of work. Following a pair of scoreless frames from reliever Dariel Fregio, Blair Calvo was the next victim for the Captains, allowing four runs (two earned) off five hits in one inning for West Michigan. John Peck and Austin Murr each contributed a double and Peyton Graham posted his 12th stolen base of the season, but the ‘Caps couldn’t quite get the momentum they needed and dropped the campaign to the Captains 8-5.
How about a 3-run double from #Tigers Austin Murr to wake up the crowd? The cardiac ‘Caps are within four in the 7th. pic.twitter.com/tpCxNCX2XO
— Emily Waldon (@EmilyCWaldon) July 13, 2025
GAME 6 – Lake County: 5, West Michigan: 2
With the All-Star Break waiting just several hours after gametime, neither Lake County or West Michigan showed much steam early on at the start of the series finale. Colin Fields got the nod for West Michigan and worked three and two thirds, allowing one earned run off four hits to the Captains. Combining for eight hits overall, Seth Stephenson, Austin Murr and Peyton Graham each combined for a two-hit day with Archer Brookman and Izaac Pacheco each adding a hit to round out the day at the plate for West Michigan. Lake County dialed in on reliever Preston Howey, tagging him for four earned runs over one and two thirds innings and giving the Captains just enough to secure the series finale and usher in the All-Star Break.
Peyton “Stretch” Graham strikes again!
Third triple of the season for the Waxahachie, Texas native. pic.twitter.com/r4HqtyvAI5
— Emily Waldon (@EmilyCWaldon) July 13, 2025
Up Next: On Friday, July 18, West Michigan will head to Jackson Field in Lansing for a three-game set before jumping back on the bus and heading to Peoria for a six-game stretch.
Pitcher of the Week: RHP Max Alba
In what’s been a bit of a rollercoaster year for Max Alba, the 25-year-old couldn’t have looked sharper in his six scoreless innings of work against the Captains. This is the first six-inning scoreless campaign for Alba this season, also marking the third campaign of the season where Alba has not allowed a run over four or more innings of work for West Michigan. The work of the 6’5 righthander landed Alba as the Midwest League Pitcher of the Week, entering the break.
Player of the Week: INF John Peck
West Michigan’s resident assassin just can’t seem to lose momentum at the plate this season. Facing Lake County, the 22-year-old hit in five of six games, racking up nine hits, four runs, four doubles and three RBI. Hitting in seven of his last eight for the ‘Caps, Peck is hitting over .300 for the second consecutive month, currently slashing .304/.353/.413 with five extra-base hits and five RBI over 11 games in July.
Whitecap to Watch: OF Garrett Pennington
One of the newest names on the West Michigan roster, 24-year-old outfielder Garrett Pennington made an impression quickly with the ‘Caps. In his first two games against the Captains, Pennington combined for five hits, including a double and a pair of RBI. Prior to his promotion to West Michigan, Pennington slashed .282/.353/.483 with 16 doubles, a triple and 10 home runs over 65 games with the Flying Tigers.
Chris Brown 
Rogelio Castillo 
Jerry McKennan