MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

LumberKings Fall to KC as Defense Falters Early

Published on July 5, 2015 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Clinton, IA - Two first inning errors and three unearned runs propelled the Kane County Cougars (10-1, 46-33) to a 7-1 victory over the hometown Clinton LumberKings (3-8, 29-51). Zack Littell (L, 2-4) allowed a season high nine hits over 3.2 innings, while Kane County starter Markus Solbach (W, 8-2) had his best start of the season. The German righty went eight innings, did not walk a batter, and allowed only one run.

After Cody Regis' one-out single in the first inning, Marty Herum reached on an error by Clinton shortstop Chris Mariscal. Henry Castillo followed with a two-RBI triple, his second triple of the season. The triple made it 2-0 Kane County, more than enough offense given Solbach's start. Castillo scored as Joe Munoz reached on a fielding error by Joe DeCarlo, and the Cougars led 3-0 after half an inning.

Kane County added a run on a triple by Elvin Soto and an RBI single by Colin Bray in the second, then tacked on three more vs. Littell in the fourth. Two walks, two singles, and another error by Mariscal knocked Littell out of the game two outs into the fourth, as Ronald Dominguez retired Joe Munoz to end the frame with Clinton down 7-0. Dominguez pitched 4.1 innings of one-hit shutout baseball.

Solbach, who's season long outing was seven innings prior to Sunday's game, allowed multiple base runners in just two of his eight innings. Clinton tallied two hits in the second inning, one in the third, and one in the fifth, as Solbach allowed just five total men to reach over his first seven innings.

Clinton's lone run came in the eighth inning. James Alfonso began the frame with a single, and moved to second when Solbach hit Arby Fields in the leg with a pitch. With two outs, Chris Mariscal drove in his 33rd run of the season that broke the shutout. But that's all Clinton got, as Solbach retired Chantz Mack, and Tom Jameson worked a scoreless ninth inning.

The loss was the sixth straight for Clinton, while the victory was the 10th straight for Kane County. The Cougars swept both halves of the home and home series and will head to Wisconsin to take on the Timber Rattlers. Clinton meanwhile will head to Davenport to begin a home and home series with the River Bandits. First pitch of the opener at Modern Woodmen Park is scheduled for 7 PM CT Monday night. The LumberKings broadcast can be heard on WCCI 100.3 FM, WCCIRadio.com, and LumberKings.com.

Check out the Clinton LumberKings Statistics

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



Midwest League Stories from July 5, 2015


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