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MWL Cedar Rapids Kernels

Ben Ross' Tenth Inning Home Run Lifts Kernels Over Chiefs 3-2

July 2, 2023 - Midwest League (MWL)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


Peoria, IL - In a tied game at 1-1 in the top of the tenth inning Ben Ross crushed his twelfth home run of the season to give the Kernels a 3-1 lead it would never lose in a 3-2 win over Peoria in extra-innings Saturday night.

Ross finished off the night for the Cedar Rapids offense but also got it started for the Kernels in the top of the first inning. With two on and one out in the bottom of the first, Ross ripped a double into left field to give the Kernels the early 1-0.

That 1-0 advantage held all the way until the bottom of the ninth inning due to the excellence on the mound by C.J. Culpepper. In his high-A debut, Culpepper went six scoreless frames for the Kernels, allowing just three hits and a lone walk.

The right-hander was in line for the win when the game was sent to the bottom of the ninth inning, with Peoria down to its final three outs. After a groundout to begin the inning, RJ Yeager grounded a ball off the second base bag that popped into centerfield for a single. The next batter Jimmy Crooks also singled to put runners on the corners with one out. With men on first and third, Ramon Mendoza bunted back to the pitcher in an attempted squeeze play, but Mike Paredes flipped home to get out the runner at the plate for the second out. With now the Chiefs down to their final out, Osvaldo Tovalin lined a single into right field, tying the game at 1-1 and sending it to extra innings.

With Kala'i Rosario on as the extra-inning runner to begin the tenth inning, Ben Ross led off the frame crushing a long home run to left-center to put the Kernels back ahead at 3-1, which was the tally going to the bottom of the inning.

With Paredes still out on the mound, this time looking for the win, he got the leadoff man to fly to right field for the first out. The next batter grounded out, scoring the runner from third to make the game 3-2, but with the bases empty and two outs. Paredes then got a strikeout to end the contest in a 3-2 Kernels win, their third one-run victory of the series.

The win is the third in the first four games in the series with Peoria as the Kernels go for their third series win over the Chiefs this season tomorrow night. The only Cedar Rapids Sunday night game of the season is set to get underway at 6:35 with Cory Lewis on the mound opposite Ian Bedell.

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