LumberKings Walk to Opening Night Win

CLINTON, IA (April 6, 2019) - Eight walks by the Clinton LumberKings went a long way in a 6-1 win over the Kane County Cougars on Saturday night. Jerar Encarnacion set a career high with three of the LumberKings (2-1) walks while Humberto Mejia and George Soriano combined to hold the Cougars (1-2) to one run on just two hits.
Mejia (1-0) had only one blemish during his LumberKings debut. The first batter of the game, Jorge Perez battled the right-hander for eight pitches before launching a solo home run to right on the ninth pitch of the at-bat. The home run was the first of the year allowed by Clinton pitching and would be the only run they allowed during the home opener.
Following the first inning blast, Mejia settled down to hold the Cougars to just one more hit, a single, over his five innings of work. He earned the win for Clinton and struck out two while walking two.
The LumberKings did not have much of an answer for Cougars starter Justin Lewis. He shutout Clinton in the first, second, and third while pilling up four strikeouts through his first three innings.
In the bottom of the fourth, the LumberKings broke out to take the lead for good. Clinton batters worked five walks during the game to score four times and send 10 men to the plate. Lewis (0-1) was chased from the game following his fourth walk of the inning - fifth of the game - and was given a loss for his time out.
Jerar Encarnacion worked the first of his three walks during the four-run fourth to establish a new professional career high.
Christopher Torres added to the LumberKings lead in the bottom of the sixth. With nobody out and runners on second and third he poked a double down the line in right to drive home his first two runs of the year.
Georgie Soriano took the 6-1 lead and silenced the Cougars over the final four innings. He did not allow a base runner during his season debut - working four perfect innings to earn the LumberKings first save of the season.
The LumberKings will play the second game of the homestand and series finale with Kane County on Sunday afternoon. Clinton will throw right-handed pitcher Peyton Culbertson (0-0, 0.00) while the Cougars will counter with lefty Franklyn Soriano (0-0, 0.00).
Sunday will be a giveaway day at the ballpark with the first fans through the gates receiving a 2019 LumberKings poster schedule. The team will also be showing off their Clinton Elotes jerseys and caps for the first time on the year as part of Minor League Baseball's Copa de la Diversion.
Game time is slated for 2:00 p.m. (CDT). Fans looking to listen to the game can hear Erik Oas on the call on 100.3 FM WCCI and online at lumberkings.com via the tunein radio ap at 1:45 p.m. with the pregame show.
 
About The LumberKings
The Clinton LumberKings, the only remaining Charter Member of the Midwest League, are preparing for their 64^thseason in the league and their first year of affiliation with the Miami Marlins. Since the club's inception in 1937, 281 former Clinton players have gone on to reach the Major Leagues. Advertising and tickets for the 2019 season are available by calling (563)242-0727 or by visiting LumberKings.com