LumberKings Even Series Against Kernels

CLINTON, IOWA - The Clinton LumberKings rallied from an early three-run deficit to pick up a 9-6 victory Wednesday against the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Ashford University Field. Clinton's win evens this series at 1-1 heading into Thursday night's rubber game. All four hits for the Kernels in Wednesday's loss were RBI doubles.
Cedar Rapids (34-25) quickly claimed a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Travis Blankenhorn led off with a walk, and Lewin Diaz was hit by a pitch. Mitchell Kranson drove in both runners with a two-out double. Caleb Hamilton followed with an RBI double that plated Kranson.

The LumberKings (23-33) scored the next five runs, taking a 5-3 lead in the process. Anthony Jimenez scored on a wild pitch in the second inning before Nick Thurman produced an RBI groundout. During the fourth, Nick Zammarelli III hit a two-run triple and later scored when Thurman drove him in.
Jaylin Davis responded for the Kernels in the fifth inning to tie the game at 5-5. Batting with two outs and two runners aboard, Davis lifted a two-run double to center field that brought Cedar Rapids level.
Clinton took the lead back with a four-run sixth-inning rally. A hit batter and two walks loaded the bases to start the frame. Jhombeyker Morales and Bryson Brigman were both credited with two-run doubles that pushed the LumberKings to a 9-5 advantage.
The Kernels tallied one run in the ninth but fell by a 9-6 margin. Christian Cavaness drew a leadoff walk and took second base after a wild pitch. Aaron Whitefield doubled to drive in Cavaness for Cedar Rapids' final run of the game.
Lane Ratliff (1-0) tossed 2.1 scoreless and hitless innings of relief while earning the victory. Alex Robinson (1-4) suffered the loss after being charged for three runs in a third of an inning plus.
The series finale at Ashford University Field is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Cedar Rapids left-hander Domenick Carlini IV (3-3, 4.85) and Clinton right-hander Robert Dugger (1-1, 2.73) are the probable pitchers. Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will call the game on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.
Cedar Rapids' next homestand runs from Friday, June 9 through Monday, June 12. 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.