Bostick Leads Snappers to 10-3 Win to Earn Split

BELOIT, WI - Christopher Bostick went two-for-three with two RBIs as the Beloit Snappers took out the Clinton LumberKings 10-3 in the second game of a Midwest League doubleheader at Ashford University Field on Tuesday night. Taylor Ard's walk-off double in the bottom of the seventh inning won game one for Clinton, 1-0.   

The split gives the Snappers a record of 21-16 and, combined with a loss by Quad Cities, puts them in a tie for the Midwest League Western Division wild card. The LumberKings remain one game under .500 at 18-19.

Starter Brent Powers was making his Beloit debut and was immediately tagged by Clinton for three first inning runs. After a single and a walk to lead-off, Patrick Kivlehan (1-3, 2 RBI) lined a two-run triple into center and he came home to make the score 3-0 when the next batter grounded out. 

Beloit chipped away at the lead over the next two innings, putting up single runs in each frame. They scored in the second on a groundout by Ryan Mathews (1-4, 3 RBI) and in the third on a double by Bostick (2-3, 2 RBI, run).

The Snappers took the lead for the first time all day in the fourth by putting up three runs at the expense of reliever Richard White (1-1). Matt Olson (2-4, RBI, 2 runs) ignited the rally with a lead-off double and John Wooten singled and took second on a throw from left field. An ensuing double by Mathews plated both runners for a 4-3 advantage and Bostick provided the third double of the frame four batters later, allowing Mathews to dent home plate as well.

While his offense got him the lead, Powers (1-0) settled down after the first and threw up four zeroes from the second inning on. He finished his outing by retiring the last nine men he faced in order.

In the seventh, Beloit's offense erupted for five runs and put the game on ice. A Brett Vertigan double followed by an error put the first two men on and Bruce Maxwell picked up an RBI with a sacrifice fly. A single combined with another error put two men in scoring position and a wild pitch let in the Snappers' seventh run. Olson's RBI single tacked on another run and two batters later, Sam Roberts pushed the lead to seven by cracking a two-run double to left.

Relievers Ryan Dull and Tucker Healy each threw a scoreless inning to seal the victory.

The first game played out as a total pitcher's duel, with both offenses unable to get anything going. Rusty Shellhorn started the game for Clinton and permitted one hit in four and two-thirds innings. After walks by Shellhorn put two men on in the fifth, Matt Vedo (3-1) took over and escaped the jam. He then proceeded to render Beloit's offense hitless for two and a third innings, walking one and striking out two.

Meanwhile, the LumberKings' offense was having its own problems with the Snappers' Austin House (0-3). For five innings, House threw no-hit ball before a lead-off single in the fifth broke up the bid. House would finish the day with two walks and four strikeouts.

The game remained scoreless into the bottom of the seventh and House was still on the mound. With one out, Jody Lara walked and was pinch-run for by Brock Hebert. Ard (1-2, RBI) then knocked in the winning run with a double to right.

On Wednesday, the third game of this series will take place, with a start time of 6:30pm. The probables for the game are RHP Raul Alcantara (5-1, 2.61 ERA) for Beloit and RHP Matt Anderson (1-3, 6.44 ERA) for Clinton.