Beloit’s Fast Start Too Much for Wisconsin

GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Beloit Snappers used a quick start and eight strikeouts from starting pitcher Kyle Nicolas to grab a commanding lead Thursday night on their way to a 5-3 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

Beloit (1-2) jumped on the Rattlers (2-1) right away in the first inning. Connor Scott hit the second pitch of the game out of the ballpark for a home run. Wisconsin starting pitcher Justin Jarvis retired the next batter, but walked the following two batters. Jarvis recorded the second out, but couldn’t escape the inning without more damage. Bubba Hollins laced a two-out double to left that scored both runners on base for a 3-0 lead for the Snappers.

Scott made it 4-0 in favor of Beloit in the top of the fifth when he tripled and scored on a wild throw to third.

Kyle Nicolas, the starter for the Snappers struck out eight and allowed one hit over five innings. He went back out for the sixth inning and that was when Wisconsin’s offense got going.

Hayden Cantrelle drew a lead-off walk to start the bottom of the sixth to chase Nicolas. Carlos Rodríguez greeted new pitcher Brady Puckett with a double to score Cantrelle. A wild pitch moved Rodríguez to third base with Korry Howell at the plate.

Howell hit a deep fly to the wall in center and the ball was dropped to let Rodríguez score and Howell to replace him at third base.

Je’Von Ward hit a fly to center that was deep enough to score Howell and the Rattlers were only down by a run.

The Snappers added an insurance run in the top of the eighth inning on a two-out, RBI single by Nic Ready and that was more than enough as the final two Beloit pitchers allowed one hit over the final 3-1/3 innings while striking out six.

Game four of the series with Beloit is Friday night at Neuroscience Group Field. Reese Olson is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Beloit has named Alberto Guerrero (0-0, 0.00) as their starting pitcher. Game time is 6:35pm.

Friday night is Supper Club Friday presented by Arty’s Supper Club Cocktails with 101.1, WIXX. Fans of legal drinking age may purchase Arty’s Supper Club Cocktails for half-price. After the game, children twelve and under may run the bases courtesy of Menasha Corporation. Don’t forget that FOX 11 postgame fireworks start on June 4.

If you can’t make it out to the ballpark, catch the action on AM 1280 WNAM starting with the pregame show at 6:15pm. The game is also available on internet audio and through MiLB.tv.