Beloit beats Kernels to clinch playoff berth

BELOIT, Wis. - The Beloit Snappers edged the Kernels 3-2 at Pohlman Field on Monday in the regular-season finale. With the victory, the Snappers clinched a playoff berth. The Kernels will begin the Midwest League playoffs on Wednesday night with Game 1 of the Midwest League Quarterfinals at Beloit.  
Rain earlier in the day forced the game to be delayed over six hours as the Beloit staff worked to get the field ready for play. Entering the game, Beloit could qualify for the playoffs with a victory over the Kernels due to Kane County's loss to Wisconsin.
Cedar Rapids finished the regular season with a 77-62 record.
The Kernels took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Jacob Pearson reached with a two-out double to left-center. He scored on Trey Cabbage's RBI single to right field.
Beloit jumped in front 3-1 in the third inning. Three consecutive singles started the frame. A RBI single by Lazaro Armenteros brought in Nick Allen. Later in the inning, Ryan Gridley's two-run single scored both Austin Beck and Armenteros as the Snappers took the lead.
Cedar Rapids trimmed the deficit to 3-2 in the sixth inning. Trevor Larnach ripped a double down the line in right and scored on Michael Helman's RBI single to center.
Tyler Watson (5-7) started for the Kernels and went six innings in the loss, allowing three runs on nine hits. He struck out seven and walked none. Calvin Faucher and Rickey Ramirez pitched scoreless innings in relief.
Gus Varland started for Beloit and allowed one run over four innings. Mitchell Jordan (8-4) relieved Varland and allowed one run over 3.2 innings for the victory. Ty Damron recorded one out in the eighth. Seth Martinez struck two in a perfect ninth for his 15th save.
The Midwest League playoffs begin on Wednesday night at Beloit with the best-of-three series. Fans can listen to the action on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM, as well as online at www.kernels.com and www.kmryradio.com.
Cedar Rapids will host Beloit in Game Two of the Midwest League Quarterfinals on Thursday, September 6 at 6:35 p.m.
Fans can purchase tickets by visiting www.kernels.com, going to the Kernels Ticket Office, or calling 319-896-7560. The Kernels Ticket Office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. On Sundays when the Kernels have a home game, the Kernels Ticket Office opens at 11:00 a.m.