Kernels get two hits in 5-3 loss to South Bend
South Bend took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when Chris Ellison led off the inning with a triple and came home on a RBI sacrifice fly to center field by Gerson Montilla.
The Silver Hawks got four runs in the fifth inning, taking a 5-0 lead. Marc Bourgeois doubled to lead off the inning. He came home two batters later when Fidel Pena reached on a fielding error by Kernels shortstop Trevor Hairgrove, making the score 2-0. Josh Parr then lined out to second base. Kernels second baseman Kevin Moesquit attempted to double up the runner Pena at first, but his errant throw allowed Pena to reach second base. Ender Inciarte then reached on a bunt single and Ellison was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Pena and Inciarte scored on a RBI single by Montilla, pushing the score to 4-0. Tom Belza's RBI single plated Ellison as the Silver Hawks took a 5-0 lead.
Eswarlin Jimenez (0-2) took the loss for the Kernels, allowing five runs (one earned) over 4.2 innings. He allowed five hits, struck out one, and walked none. Joe Melioris pitched 3.1 scoreless innings in relief, allowing only two hits while striking out four and walking none. Frank DeJiulio pitched one scoreless inning.
The Kernels did not get a man on base until the sixth inning when they scored two runs on one hit, cutting the Silver Hawks lead to 5-2. South Bend starter Archie Bradley walked the first three Kernels of the inning. Bradley exited for reliever Keith Hessler. Kevin Moesquit then brought Trevor Hairgrove home with a RBI sacrifice fly to left field. Ryan Jones followed with a RBI double down the right field line to score Matt Scioscia.
The Kernels tallied one run in the seventh inning, chipping away the South Bend lead to 5-3. Gary Mitchell reached on an error by South Bend's shortstop Josh Parr, reached second base on a wild pitch, and came home on Scioscia's RBI infield single.
Bradley (3-1) got the win for South Bend, allowing two runs on no hits. He struck out four and walked three. Hessler pitched one inning, allowing no runs on one hit. Tyler Green recorded his first save, going three innings and allowing one unearned run on one hits.
The Kernels conclude the series with South Bend on Saturday evening at 5:05 p.m. It's Wings and Beer Sampling on the Plumbers and Pipefitters Pavilion. For just $25, get the all you can eat package on the Pavilion of hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, popcorn, peanuts, soda and beer. You also get 10 tickets to sample wings and beer from local distilleries.
Morgan Hawk brings you the action on the radio home of Kernels baseball, KMRY. Listen at 1450 AM or 93.1 FM, as well as www.kernels.com and www.kmryradio.com.
Tickets are available online at www.kernels.com or by calling the Kernels box office at 896-7560. Ticket office hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.