LumberKings Season Ends in Sweep

Beloit, WI - Two games into the Midwest League Playoffs, and just like that, the season is over for the Clinton LumberKings. Beloit scored early and did enough to hold off Clinton in a 6-2 win Thursday night at Pohlman Field to end the LumberKings' season. 

The Snappers jumped on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning on Christopher Bostick's run-scoring single. Clinton starter Dylan Unsworth came back to retire the next three batters and limit the damage. 

It remained 1-0 until the fourth inning when Clinton took advantage of Beloit's shaky defense. With two outs and runners at first and second, Taylor Ard hit a chopper to third. Renato Nunez gloved but threw in the dirt to first, allowing Dario Pizzano to race home and make it 1-1. 

In the bottom of the fourth, Unsworth committed an error of his own, costing Clinton. With runners at first and second, Nick Rickles dropped a bunt down that Unsworth threw over the head of Ard at first. Both runners scored to put Beloit on top 3-1.

They added on to the lead in the fifth with three more runs. John Wooten delivered a two-run double and Brett Vertigan collected an RBI on a fielder's choice. 

In the sixth, Janelfry Zorrilla hit a double down the left field line and eventually came around to score on Dario Pizzano's RBI groundout. 

There were opportunities to be had in the later innings, but Clinton couldn't capitalize. They left two runners on in each of the final three innings against the Beloit bullpen. 

Clinton's bid for a third Midwest League title will have to wait until the 2014 season. The franchise last won the crown in 1991 when they were the Clinton Giants.