The Clinton LumberKings and the South Bend Cubs completed series sweeps Thursday to advance to the second round of the Midwest League playoffs. Both teams have to wait until Friday to learn who their opponents will be, as the remaining two series will be decided then.

Clinton LumberKings 10, Kane County Cougars 1

RHP Jake Walters was dominant for the LumberKings, allowing only one unearned run and two walks in seven no-hit innings. He struck out four. Dominic Fletcher ended the no-hit bid with an infield single with two outs in the bottom of the 8th. That turned out to be Kane County’s only hit of the game.

Will Banfield led Clinton’s offense with three hits, including two doubles, and four runs batted in. Kameron Misner and Peyton Burdick also had three-hit games for the LumberKings.

South Bend Cubs 7, Bowling Green Hot Rods 4

This game was a back-and-forth affair until the Cubs scored four unanswered runs in the top of the 9th inning. Jake Slaughter drove in three runs for South Bend; teammates Brennan Davis, Cole Roederer and Nelson Velazquez each had three-hit games.

Erik Ostberg had two hits and two RBI for the Hot Rods.

Cole Roederer had three hits, a walk, and one RBI for the South Bend Cubs on Thursday. (Photo by Craig Wieczorkiewicz/The Midwest League Traveler)

Lake County Captains 4, Great Lakes Loons 0

The Captains tallied a quartet of runs in the top of the 9th to score the game’s only runs. Daniel Schneemann singled home two runs, Jonathan Englemann drove in one on a groundout, and the fourth run scored on a throwing error.

Captains RHP Ethan Hankins scattered three hits and three walks while striking out eight in 3.1 scoreless innings. Lake County relievers Kyle Marman and Jake Miednik each struck out four.

Cedar Rapids Kernels 2, Quad Cities River Bandits 1

Kernels RHP Matt Canterino took a perfect game into the 5th inning and got a no-decision in this pitchers duel that Cedar Rapids won to force a Game 3 on Friday. Canterino allowed one run on two hits, struck out eight, and walked none in five innings.

River Bandits RHP Brett Daniels gave up two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out 10 in 6.1 innings.

Jared Akins doubled home the winning run for the Kernels in the top of the 7th inning. (Photo by Craig Wieczorkiewicz/The Midwest League Traveler)