MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Neidert's 12 Strikeouts Send LumberKings To Series Opening Win

Published on June 23, 2016 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Clinton, IA - After a rough first inning, Nick Neidert (4-1) settled into a groove that sent him on his way to his best outing of the season. The righty went six innings, allowing just five hits, walking one while striking out a career high 12. The LumberKings (1-0, 40-31) got a big third inning that propelled them to a 6-1 win over the Kane County Cougars (0-1, 33-38) to begin the second half.

The Cougars struck first in an uncharacteristic first inning from Neidert. After giving up a leadoff single to Galli Cribbs, Neidert walked Zach Nehrir on four pitches. Austin Byler then hit a potential double play ground ball to second that Chris Mariscal couldn't field cleanly initially. Mariscal recovered in time to toss to second to get a force, but his throw sailed wide of shortstop Rayder Ascanio covering the bag. The error scored Cribbs to get the Cougars on the board. However, Neidert allowed no more runs in that inning.

Clinton struck back in the bottom of the first in a strange way, as Luis Liberato led off the game with a pop up in front of home plate that catcher Frank Christy dropped. Liberato got to second on an Alex Young (2-1) wild pitch, and then to third on Rayder Ascanio's ground out. Ricky Eusebio stepped in with a chance to drive home Liberato but didn't need to, as another Young wild pitch brought home Liberato to tie the game.

Neidert allowed doubles in the second and third but neither man scored, as he struck out four combined in those frames. At that point he had seven strikeouts, and would add five more over the next three innings. His twelve strikeout performance eclipsed his previous career high of five set in his last start, and after allowing a leadoff single to Gerard Hernandez in the fourth, he retired the last nine men that he faced.

With the game tied at one in the third, the LumberKings put together what would be the game deciding rally. Arturo Nieto and Chris Mariscal singled back to back to lead off the fourth, which brought up Luis Liberato. He hit a high chopped to the first base side of the infield that nicked the top of first baseman Austin Byler's glove and rolled into right field. It scored Nieto, moved Mariscal to third, and Liberato took second with aggressive base running. Rayder Ascanio's ground out scored Mariscal to make it 3-1. Dalton Kelly with two outs blooped a ball right to third base that Fernery Ozuna thought was over his head, but it ended up landing right in front of him and allowed Liberato to score, extending the lead to 4-1.

The LumberKings would add two more runs, but they needed no more, as after Neidert existed, Dylan Silva and Matt Walker combined to face the minimum over the last three, sealing the win for the LumberKings. As a staff, the LumberKings retired the last 18 Cougars that came to the plate.

Click here for tonight's box score. Tomorrow's game will feature righty Zack Littell (5-5, 2.93) for the LumberKings against righty Sam McWilliams (0-0, 3.60) for the Cougars. Tomorrow is a fireworks spectacular presented by WQAD TV as fireworks follow the final out. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM, and tickets are available by visiting www.lumberkings.com, calling 563-242-0727, or by stopping by the box office at Ashford University Field.

Check out the Clinton LumberKings Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from June 23, 2016


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