Kernels drop Game 2 at Clinton
CLINTON, IOWA - The Kernels lost 6-1 at Clinton on Sunday evening in Game 2 of the Western Division Championship Series. The two teams will meet in Game 3 on Monday night in Clinton for the Western Division title. Monday's first pitch is at 6:30 p.m. at Ashford University Field.
Clinton used a four-run fourth inning for Sunday's win. The Kernels offense struck out 17 times, collecting five hits.
Kevin Gadea (1-0) recorded 11 of the strikeouts, a season-high for the righty. Gadea allowed one unearned run on four hits while walking one in the victory. Ronald Dominguez struck out four over two scoreless innings. Lukas Schiraldi struck out one while walking two. Matt Walker got the final two outs, striking out one.
Sam Gibbons (0-1) allowed six runs on seven hits in four innings for the loss. He struck out two and walked two. Williams Ramirez pitched three scoreless and hitless innings, striking out five. Colton Davis pitched a scoreless ninth inning.
Clinton broke the scoreless tie with a pair of runs in the third inning, taking a 2-0 lead. Back to back doubles by Ricky Eusebio and Rayder Ascanio started the inning for the game's first run. Two batters later, Luis Liberato's RBI single to left plated Ascanio and gave the LumberKings a two-run lead for the second straight game.
The Kernels put together a two-out rally in the fourth inning and plated a run to cut Clinton's lead to 2-1. Luis Arraez singled to right with two outs, his 10th hit in four postseason games. Zander Wiel then reached on an infield single as the left side of the infield miscommunicated on who would field the grounder. Arraez advanced to third on the play and soon scored on a passed ball, cutting Clinton's lead to one run.
However, Clinton responded quickly with a four-run fourth inning and extended their lead to 6-1. Alex Jackson was hit by a pitch with one out. Conner Hale quickly singled to put two on. With two outs, Eusebio drew a walk to load the bases. Ascanio then drew a bases-loaded walk, taking a 3-2 pitch that missed low. Jackson came home to score, making the score 3-1. Next batter, Chris Marsical ripped a bases-clearing double to left-center. It scored Hale, Eusebio and Ascanio, giving Clinton a five-run lead.
The Kernels are scheduled to go with RHP Sean Poppen (1-1, 2.12) on the mound in Game 3. Clinton will pitch RHP Nick Neidert (7-3, 2.57). Catch the action with Morgan Hawk on KMRY Radio (93.1 FM and 1450 AM), as well as online at www.kernels.com and www.kmryradio.com.