18 Inning Game One Walkoff Highlights Doubleheader Sweep
Clinton, IA - In a game that was only scheduled to go seven innings, the LumberKings and Kernels dueled over 18 innings in game one, with Clinton walking off in the bottom of the 18th on a single from James Alfonso to win 2-1. The LumberKings (11-5) would then come back and shut out Cedar Rapids (9-8) 3-0 in game two, sweeping a doubleheader that combined to go 24.5 innings and last six hours and 58 minutes.
The first game looked as if it was going to be a quick seven inning game, but things took a drastic turn in the top of the seventh. With the LumberKings up 1-0, Joey Strain came in to try and shut the door. Strain allowed a one out single to Manuel Guzman, and after Christian Cavaness' ground out moved Guzman to second with two outs, Jermaine Palacios came through with a single to right center field, scoring Guzman to tie the game up.
Both teams would claw tooth and nail with each other over the next six innings, with each team's pitcher going blow for blow with the opposing lineup. Clinton thought that they had the game won in the bottom of the 13th, as Conner Hale lead off with a walk, and pinch runner Aaron Barbosa was sacrificed over to second with one out. Rayder Ascanio's ground out moved Barbosa to third, setting the stage for Braden Bishop to try and win the game. Bishop hit a ground ball to short, and the throw from Jermaine Palacios pulled Zander Wiel off the first base bag, allowing Barbosa to score and give the LumberKings what appeared to be a walk off victory. However, after Bishop was ruled safe at first, the call was reversed, as it was ruled that Wiel stayed on the bag long enough to get Bishop for the out. Once the dust settled, the game went on.
After Nick Kiel (1-0) completed his fourth scoreless inning in the top of the 18th, the LumberKings appeared to be going to a 19th inning as Kernels righty Zack Tillery (1-1) got the first two hitters easily in the 18th. Braden Bishop stepped back in, and smacked a double to right center, bringing James Alfonso to the dish. Alfonso poked a single up the middle for his third hit of the night, and Bishop beat the throw home, giving the LumberKings the win.
Game two was less dramatic, as Art Warren (2-0) carved up the Kernels over six shutout innings, allowing four hits, walking two, and striking out three. Clinton would strike against Cedar Rapids starter Dereck Rodriguez (0-3) in the fourth, as he issued two walks and a hit by pitch to load the bases with one out for Logan Taylor. Taylor hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Aaron Barbosa to make it 1-0. They would add two more in the fifth on a Dalton Kelly single and a fake steal of second base from Kelly that allowed a run to score from third. Darin Gillies would follow Warren and pitch a perfect seventh for his first save.
The LumberKings and Kernels conclude their series tomorrow at 2:00 PM, with Clinton's Zack Littell (0-1, 5.06 ERA) squaring off with Cedar Rapids' Cody Stashak (1-0, 1.80). Tickets can be purchased by calling 563-242-0727 or by visiting the ticketing page at www.lumberkings.com