MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

It\'s over

Published on September 9, 2004 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Josh Kreuzer's bases-loaded double highlighted Clinton's seven-run sixth inning and the LumberKings ousted the Kernels from the Midwest League playoffs, 8-5, Thursday night before a crowd of 1,530 at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Clinton swept the best-of-3 series, two games to none, and advances to play the winner of the Kane County-Peoria series in the Western Division championship series, which starts Saturday. Kane County's 6-1 win Thursday squared that series at a game apiece.

Errors proved costly for the Kernels, who had three miscues that led to five unearned runs.

It appeared that it might be the Kernels' night through the first five innings Thursday. Blake Balkcom's two-run home run in the first inning erased Clinton's 1-0 lead. The Kernels built their lead to 4-1, scoring single runs in the second and third innings on RBI singles by Ryan Leahy and Warner Madrigal, respectively.

Then came the Clinton sixth.

A pair of singles off leading off the frame sent Kernels starter Chris Hunter to the showers and brought on Aaron Pullin, who hit a batter to load the bases. Andrew Wishy's RBI single cut the Kernels' lead to 4-2.

Another run scored on Cody Clark's fielder's choice grounder. Emerson Frostad's RBI single drove in the tying run. An error and fielder's choice grounder produced the go-ahead run before another hit batsman loaded up the bases for Kreuzer.

Kreuzer hit a screamer into the left-field corner that rattled around, allowing all three runners to score and boosting the LumberKings' lead to 8-4.

The Kernels pushed across an unearned run in the sixth inning, but over the final three innings managed only one baserunner. Ryan Leahy spanked a single leading off the ninth and died at first.

The Kernels had 12 hits and nine of them came from the top four batters in the order. Leahy had three hits, and Balkcom, Howie Kendrick and Michael Collins ad two apiece. Brandon Wood was 1-for-3 and scored twice.

Pullin took the loss, allowing three hits and five runs – one earned – in two-thirds of an inning.

Craig Frydendall, the second of four Clinton pitchers, was the winner. He worked two innings and gave up three hits and an unearned run.

Jesse Ingram pitched the final two innings and gave up one hit while striking out three. He earned a save.

Check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from September 9, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central