By Cory Dann
For the Herald
CLINTON — The Clinton Lumberkings wasted little time getting back to their winning ways. They started the second half of Midwest League action Thursday with a 7-2 win over the Beloit Snappers at Alliant Energy Field.
Clinton totaled 15 hits to take the first game of a four-game series.
Recent All-Star Scott Savastano had one of the biggest bats of the night. He went 4-for-4, including a three-run double in the Clinton’s five-run fourth inning.
“I was looking for a fastball early, got it middle in, came up a little short,” Savastano said, “but got enough of it and got three runs out of it.”
Clinton manager Scott Steinmann enjoyed the offensive output.
“It was nice to start the second half with the 14 hits,” he said. “The team had and to come out aggressive.”
The Lumberkings got things started by scoring in the bottom of the first. Luis Nunez scored from third base on Beloit starter Daniel Berlind’s balk for an early 1-0 lead.
The Snappers came back quickly with a two-run second. They earned a bases loaded walk against Clinton starter Kenn Kasparek and then an RBI single by James Beresford to give Beloit a 2-1 advantage.
The Lumberkings regained the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth.
Nate Tenbrink led off with a walk and scorede on a fielder’s choice groundout by Jake Shaffer to knot the game at 2-2. With the bases loaded and two out, Savastano broke the game open with a three-run double off the wall in left-center that scored Shaffer, Ogui Diaz and Terry Serrano to make it 5-2 Clinton.
“Before the game Coach Steinmann told us to treat every at bat like a brick of gold,” Savastano said, “and I didn’t want them to take my gold bar away.”
Kris Sanchez greeted Beloit’s relief pitcher Blake Martin with an RBI single to right field that bumped the Lumberking lead to 6-2. Clinton tacked on a final run in the bottom of the eighth with a sacrifice fly from Steve Moss that scored Nunez to make it 7-2.
Serrano went 4-for-5, his first 4-hit game of the season, and Nunez added three hits.
Clinton reliever Jose Jimenez pitched 2 1/3 innings of no-hit ball to pick up his fourth win of the season.
Local Sports
LumberKings start second half with win
- Local Sports
-
-
LumberKings clinch spot in playoffs despite loss
Despite suffering their third consecutive loss, Clinton advanced to the Midwest League playoffs Sunday.
-
Hawkeyes roll in opener
Iowa kicked off the football season with a 37-7 victory against Eastern Illinois on Saturday.
-
Camanche celebrates victory
After suffering through 38 consecutive losses, Camanche won its first football game since the 2006 opener when it beat Bellevue 35-19 on Friday.
-
Lancers blank River Kings
Clinton was shut out for the second week in a row, falling 44-0 to North Scott on Friday in Mississippi Athletic Conference football.
-
Top-rated Sterling Newman thumps Fulton
Tim Wilson scored three touchdowns Friday as No. 1 (2A) Sterling Newman beat Fulton 51-0 in high school football.
-
Football roundup: Tebbe leads Preston to third win
Preston improved to 3-0 on Friday, beating Central City 62-2 in eight-man football.
-
Heinemann previews Iowa vs. Eastern Illinois
Brian Heinemann, who covers Iowa football for the Herald, takes a look at Saturday's Iowa-Eastern Illinois game.
-
Hawkeyes focused for opening game
With expectations running high for 2010, Iowa doesn't want to start this football season the way it opened 2009 — escaping with a win against Northern Iowa. The Hawkeyes say they are taking Eastern Iowa seriously for Saturday's game.
-
River Kings seek first win at home
Clinton High will try to rebound from an season-opening loss to Davenport Assumption when it takes on North Scott in high school football Friday night at Coan Field.
-
Volleyball roundup: River Queens suffer first loss
North Scott came back to win the final two games on its home court and beat Clinton High School in a five-game volleyball match Thursday night. It was the first loss of the year for the River Queens after a 5-0 start.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
LumberKings clinch spot in playoffs despite loss
