Kernels Defeat Cougars, 5-2, in 10 Innings

GENEVA, ILL. - Cedar Rapids Kernels scored three runs in the 10^th inning Sunday at Northwestern Medicine Field and grabbed a 5-2 victory against the Kane County Cougars to stay in first place in the Western Division. Aaron Whitefield went 3-for-3 and drove in the game-tying and go-ahead runs, and Tom Hackimer pitched two critical innings of relief for the win.
Whitefield and Ariel Montesino pushed Cedar Rapids (29-21) ahead during the top of the 10^th. The Kernels loaded the bases without any hits ahead of Whitefield, who was hit by a pitch to force in Travis Blankenhorn and give Cedar Rapids a 3-2 lead. Montesino followed with a two-run single that plated Mitchell Kranson and Caleb Hamilton for a 5-2 advantage.

Hackimer (3-1) escaped jams in the ninth and 10^th innings against Kane County (26-22) while earning the win. He stranded runners at second and third base to force the extra frame. Late in the 10^th, he allowed two late baserunners and faced potential game-tying run Luis Alejandro Basabe, but he struck out for the final out. Hackimer has not been tagged for a run in his last 14.0 innings pitched, and he has not been charged for an earned run in his previous 21.0 innings out of the bullpen.
Cedar Rapids and Kane County battled to a 2-2 tie by the middle of Sunday's tilt. The Kernels jumped in front on a first-inning RBI double by Jaylin Davis, but an RBI groundout by Marcus Wilson and a first-and-third rundown play that allowed Mark Karaviotis to score put Kane County ahead, 2-1. Whitefield evened the contest in the fifth inning with an RBI double.
Both sides squandered opportunities before the Kernels finally took the lead in the 10^th. Cedar Rapids stranded at least one runner in scoring position in the sixth through ninth innings. Kane County left a runner at third base during the eighth inning and had two runners in scoring position late in the ninth before a lineout ended that scoring threat.
Kevin Ginkel (0-1) gave up all three extra-inning runs in his only frame of relief and suffered the loss. Hackimer combined with Colton Davis and Alex Robinson for five frames of scoreless pitching from the Cedar Rapids bullpen. Whitefield also added a career-high-tying three stolen bases on as many attempts Sunday.
The series finale between Cedar Rapids and Kane County will be played at 1:00 p.m. Monday afternoon. Kernels right-hander Clark Beeker (5-2, 2.61) is scheduled to face Cougars right-hander Jon Duplantier (5-0, 0.56). Catch the Memorial Day baseball coverage online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.
The next Kernels homestand features a visit by the Quad Cities River Bandits from Tuesday, May 30 through Thursday, June 1. Fans can purchase tickets for all Kernels home games 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 will open at 11:00 a.m.