I was in the Beloit area for an event not related to baseball last Thursday, so after it ended I stopped at Pohlman Field to catch most of the second game of a doubleheader between the Snappers and the LumberKings. Clinton dominated most of the game — starting pitcher Jake Walters allowed only one hit and two walks while striking out eight in four scoreless innings — but Beloit rallied in their final frame to make it a closer contest in the end.

The LumberKings took a 3-0 lead into the 7th and final inning after getting RBI hits from Jerar Encarnacion, Marcos Rivera and Connor Scott.

Marcos Rivera bats for the Clinton LumberKings.

Reliever Tyler Mitzel returned to the mound in the 7th for his third inning of work, and retired the first two batters he faced. Then, with only one out left to go, he gave up a pair of infield hits. The runners moved up on a wild pitch before Mitzel walked Cooper Goldby to load the bases.

Clinton LumberKings RHP Tyler Mitzel

Pinch-runner Marcos Brito replaced Goldby as the runner at first, and then ran into the last out of the game. Joseph Pena hit a two-run single to make it a 3-2 game, but rightfielder Encarnacion threw out Brito as the runner arrived at third base.

Mitzel was awarded the win.

Joseph Pena bats for the Beloit Snappers. He hit a two-run single in the 7th inning.

The LumberKings celebrate their win.

The Snappers won the first game 11-6.

All photos by Craig Wieczorkiewicz/The Midwest League Traveler