LumberKings dominate Snappers, earn 18-4 win

Unlike Saturday night's thrilling extra-innings contest, Sunday's game between Beloit and Clinton was never in doubt as the LumberKings cruised to a 18-4 victory. 

Clinton blew the game wide open in the third inning as it put up eight runs and sent 12 batters to the plate. Beloit starting pitcher Dylan Covey (5 IP, 10 H, 9 ER) was hoping to respond from a season-worst outing but instead set new marks in the categories. 

The LumberKings entered the third inning trailing 2-1 before the offensive outburst. 

After four consecutive hits and one run scored to begin the inning, Austin Wilson hit a 2-run home run to give Clinton a 5-2 lead. The home run is Wilson's sixth of the season and the Los Angeles native is 6-for-10 in the series against Beloit. 

Christian Carmichael, who led off the inning with a single, came back to the plate and sent three runners home with a triple to right field. Carmichael went a perfect 5-for-5 on the day, including two triples, and fell a home run short of the cycle. 

The eight runs produced in the inning ties Clinton's season-high for runs in a frame set on April 19th. 

The Snappers had opportunities to cut into Clinton's lead throughout the game, but weren't able to capitalize. In the sixth inning, Beloit loaded the bases after sending one runner across the plate but failed to add any more runs.  

In the first inning, the Snappers advanced runners to second and third base but three straight outs ended any chance of run production. Despite the lopsided final score, Beloit's offense tallied 16 hits, compared to 19 for Clinton. 

The LumberKings added insurance runs in the 7th inning as an RBI-double from Carmichael gave Clinton an 11-4 lead. Zach Shank tallied two more runs for the LumberKings with a two-run home run to left field. Shank finished the game 3-for-6, one triple shy of the cycle, and extended his hit streak to eight games. 

Justin Seager added a 2-run home run in the 8th inning, his first of the season, to give Clinton a 17-4 advantage. 

Eddie Campbell pitched 5.1 innings for the LumberKings, allowing 11 hits and four earned runs. 

Beloit and Clinton return to action Monday night at 7:00 p.m. for the series rubber match.