Povich deals, Gray and Encarnacion-Strand homer as Kernels take series in South Bend
South Bend, IN – Cedar Rapids lefthander Cade Povich tossed a career-high 6.0 innings of one-run ball while a pair of homers from Seth Gray and Christian Encarnacion-Strand sparked the offense in a 9-3 win over South Bend. The Kernels took four of six from the Cubs and went 8-4
South Bend, IN – Cedar Rapids lefthander Cade Povich tossed a career-high 6.0 innings of one-run ball while a pair of homers from Seth Gray and Christian Encarnacion-Strand sparked the offense in a 9-3 win over South Bend. The Kernels took four of six from the Cubs and went 8-4 on their 12-game road trip, improving to 37-20 and moving to 3.5 games up on Wisconsin.
Povich struck out five across his 6.0 frames, scattering four hits and a pair of walks while allowing a lone earned run. He threw 55 strikes on 82 pitches, racking up 15 whiffs and working at a 50% ground-ball rate.
Gray opened the scoring for Cedar Rapids with a two-run homer in the top of the first. More early offense came in the second as Will Holland doubled and scored on a Dylan Neuse single, then Alerick Soularie crushed an RBI double out to right-center to make it 4-0.
South Bend plated their lone run in the fifth on a single. The Kernels responded in the seventh as Encarnacion-Strand hammered a towering grand slam out to left field. Cedar Rapids’ slugger had 14 hits on the road trip – 12 for extra bases – with seven doubles, five home runs and 12 RBI.
Ryan Shreve tossed a scoreless seventh, then the Kernels added their final run in the eighth as Kyler Fedko doubled and scored on a Pat Winkel fielder’s choice.
Derek Molina and Matthew Swain closed out the final two innings.
The Kernels are idle on Monday before opening a two-week homestand on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. CT against Dayton.
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