Hot Rods centerfielder Carl Chester steals second base during the Hot Rods' 3-1 win over West Michigan to advance to the Midwest League Championship on Sunday, September 9, 2018, at Bowling Green Ballpark. (Austin Anthony/photo@bgdailynews.com)

The Bowling Green Hot Rods are headed to the Midwest League Championship Series after beating West Michigan 3-1 in Game 2 of the Eastern Division Championship Series Sunday at Bowling Green Ballpark.

Bowling Green jumped out to an early lead and pitchers Paul Campbell and Jhonleider Salinas made it stand up as the Hot Rods swept the best-of-three series to earn the franchise’s first trip to the Midwest Championship Series.

“This is the fun part,” BG manager Craig Albernaz said. “These are the fruits of your labor. This is what you work for. It’s always fun to see the excitement on the boys’ faces when we win. Now we have a chance (to win the Midwest League championship). That’s all you can ask for in the game.”

Bowling Green got off to a fast start with a two-run single by Ronaldo Hernandez in the first inning and an RBI single through a drawn-in infield by Carl Chester in the second that made the score 3-0.

“That was huge,” BG shortstop Taylor Walls said. “The first couple of innings in a game like this are big. Just to give Paul the confidence to go out there and pitch and be relaxed … that was huge.”

The Hot Rods wouldn’t score again, but it didn’t matter.

Campbell shut out West Michigan over the first six innings before running into trouble in the seventh. The first two Whitecaps batters reached in the seventh, setting the stage for Chris Proctor’s two-out RBI single against the shift to get West Michigan on the board.

Campbell avoided further damage, getting Eric De La Rosa to ground out to shortstop to end the inning. The right-hander ended his night throwing seven innings, allowing five hits with six strikeouts and a walk.

“My nerves calmed down a little bit and I was able to settle in,” Campbell said. “I started mixing pitches, having fun, doing what I love. I had great defense behind me. It’s been a ton of fun and I am ready to win this thing.”

Salinas entered in the eighth and allowed John Valente to reach on a wild pitch third strike, but escaped with Valente stranded at second. Salinas retired West Michigan in order in the ninth, striking out Jordan Pearce for the final out.

“It’s awesome,” Walls said. “Starting in March to now and being rewarded for the all the hard work. This is what it is all about. You play all season to get to this point. This is what we’ve played for. Everybody is loose and having fun.”

Bowling Green outhit West Michigan 7-5. Walls, Hernandez and Carl Chester all finished with two hits each.

PITCHING IN

After finishing second in the Midwest League with a 3.11 ERA as a staff in the regular season, the Bowling Green pitching staff has taken it to another level in the postseason by pitching to a 2.19 team ERA.

The starting rotation has allowed five runs over 24 2/3 innings.

“It’s fun to watch them pitch,” Albernaz said. “They go out there and rise to the level. They are ready to compete. They pound the zone, give us a chance and let the defense work. Hopefully, we can keep this going.”

UP NEXT

Bowling Green will face Western Division winner Peoria (Ill.) in a best-of-five series, with the first two games in Peoria. Game 1 is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The two teams met in a three-game series in Bowling Green on May 7-9, with the Hot Rods taking two of three.{&end}