The West Michigan Whitecaps pose with the Midwest League championship pennant and trophy. (Photo tweeted by the Whitecaps)

The West Michigan Whitecaps beat the Cedar Rapids Kernels 3-2 in Game 5 of the Midwest League Championship Series to win their first MWL title since 2007.

The Whitecaps scored all three of their runs in the top of the 5th inning. Francisco Contreras and David Gonzalez each drove in a run to tie the score 2-2. West Michigan then took a 3-2 lead when Cedar Rapids reliever Luke Bard threw his second wild pitch of the inning, allowing Contreras to score.

West Michigan Whitecaps 3B Francisco Contreras connects with a pitch. (Photo by Craig Wieczorkiewicz/The Midwest League Traveler)

The Kernels had struck first with runs in the 3rd and 4th innings. Austin Diemer hit a solo homer in the bottom of the 3rd, and T.J. White singled home Edgar Corcino in the bottom of the 4th.

Cedar Rapids Kernels LF Austin Diemer (Photo by Craig Wieczorkiewicz/The Midwest League Traveler)

Whitecaps starting pitcher Ross Seaton got the win after giving up two runs on four hits and a walk in 6.2 innings. He struck out seven batters.

Kernels starting pitcher Randy LeBlanc lasted only 4.2 innings. He gave up three runs on three hits and two walks. He struck out one.

West Michigan’s win gives the Eastern Division its first Midwest League title since the Lake County Captains won the crown in 2010.