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MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Kernels Top Cougars in Season-Opener

April 9, 2015 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


GENEVA, Ill. - The Cedar Rapids Kernels won their season-opener with a 7-2 win over the Kane County Cougars on Thursday night at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.

Mat Batts (1-0) earned the win for the Kernels. The southpaw retired 14 in a row at one point and allowed just one run on two hits, two walks and a hit batter. He struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings pitched.

Brent Jones (0-1) suffered the loss for the Cougars. The right-hander allowed three runs on three hits while striking out seven and walking three in 5 2/3 innings.

After both teams combined for just two total hits through five innings, the Kernels recorded three hits in a three-run sixth inning.

Zack Larson got the sixth inning going after being hit by a pitch. Larson then stole second and advanced to third on a Trey Vavra one-out single. Jonatan Hinojosa followed Vavra with an RBI single to right-center, scoring Larson and moving Vavra into third. T.J. White extended the Kernels lead to 2-0 with a sacrifice fly to right, bringing in Vavra from third. Brian Navarretto then drove in White on a two-out infield single, giving the Kernels a 3-0 lead.

Kane County (0-1) countered with a run in the bottom of the sixth, cutting the Kernels lead to 3-1. Colin Bray's one-out double down the left field line scored Chuck Taylor from first, giving the Cougars their first run.

Cedar Rapids (1-0) added another run in the top of the seventh, extending the Kernels lead to 4-1. Nick Gordon got the inning started with a one-out triple down the right field line. It was the 19-year-olds first Midwest League hit. He quickly scored on a balk, putting the Kernels up by three runs.

The Kernels tacked on three more in the top of the ninth, extending the lead to 7-1. Tanner English and Zack Granite started the inning with back-to-back singles. Gordon then followed with a single to left, scoring English from third. A throwing error on the play plated Granite and advanced Gordon to second base. A Larson single to center brought around Gordon from second, giving the Kernels their final run of the night.

Kane County added their final run of the evening in the bottom of the ninth on a Fernery Ozuna RBI groundout, scoring Stryker Trahan from third.

Jared Wilson went 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief for the Kernels. Cam Booser pitched the final two innings, allowing one run in a save.

The game was delayed a little over one hour at the start due to rain.

The Kernels look for their second straight win on Friday night vs. the Kane County Cougars. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. from Fifth Third Bank Ballpark. RHP John Curtiss (0-0, 0.00) gets the start for Cedar Rapids while LHP Jared Miller (0-0, 0.00) gets the ball for the Cougars.

The Kernels home opener is on Sunday afternoon at 4:05 p.m. v. Beloit. It's a Jimmy John's Run the Bases Sunday. Fans can run the bases, play catch on the field and get autographs from the Kernels, thanks to Jimmy John's and media partner 104.5 KDAT. Enjoy the balloon artistry of Papa Balloon and face painting by Kennedy on the concourse. Goodwill will be collecting donations at every Sunday game. If a person donates 10 or more items they receive a voucher for a buy one ticket, get one free for any Sunday game. Fans can also play Travel Advisors Baseball Bingo, co-sponsored by the Radisson near Mall of America, for a chance to win a trip to Minneapolis to see a Twins game.

Tickets are available at www.kernels.com. You can also visit the Kernels Ticket Office at Veterans Memorial Stadium or call 319-896-7560. Morgan Hawk brings you the action of all Kernels games live on KMRY Radio (93.1 FM/1450 AM) and online at www.kernels.com.

Check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Statistics



Midwest League Stories from April 9, 2015


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