The LumberKings defeat the Bees for Northwest Division Championship

The Basics
Score: Clinton LumberKings 3, Burlington Bees 2
Records: Clinton LumberKings (35-19, 1-0), Burlington Bees (33-22, 0-1)
Location: NelsonCorp Field - Clinton, IA

CLINTON, IA  – The LumberKings are headed to the Western Conference Championship game with a 3-2 victory in 10 innings over the Burlington Bees Friday at NelsonCorp Field in Clinton.

The Northwest Division Champion LumberKings will travel to the South Division Champion Catfish for the Western Conference Championship on Sunday.

The game was a classic pitching duel, but the LumberKings struck first and had the lead the majority of the contest.

In the bottom of the 2nd, the LumberKings plated two runs as Jalen Martinez walked, Cougar Cooke doubled to score Martinez, and James Hackett singled to score Cooke.

JC Dermondy tossed 5 shutout innings the LumberKings, giving up just 2 hits and striking out 5.

Kaelen Clarkson matched with 5 innings for the Bees, but was charged with the 2 runs in the 2nd.

The LumberKings and Bees went scoreless until the 9th, when the Bees finally broke through. The Bees loaded the bases, and Owen Nowak tied the game up with a 2-out 2 RBI single.

The Bees were able to hold the LumberKings scoreless in the bottom of the 9th, but went scoreless themselves in the 10th, opening the door for the LumberKings.

The LumberKings picked up the walkoff victory as the free runner at second scored on a Jalen Martinez single.

Turning Point
After the Bees were unable to score in the top of the 10th, the LumberKings had the momentum and the advantage and just needed two batters to bring in the winning run. 

Inside The Box Score

• The final two pitchers were those of record, as Braden Sunken took the loss for the Bees and Tyler Nagelbach picked up the victory for the LumberKings.

• The Bees outhit the LumberKings just 9-8, but did not record an extra-base hit.

• Daniel Gierer went 2-4 with a home run and 2 RBIs to lead the Hoots.

• Tank Sims went 2-4 with a double and a triple with 3 RBIs to lead the Catfish.

Notes

• This is the second division championship for the LumberKings, who have made the playoffs in 4 of 5 seasons.

• The LumberKings are looking for their first appearance in the Prospect League Championship Series, last losing in the Conference Championship round in 2021.

• The Bees fall in their first playoff appearance since joining the League in 2021.

Up Next
The LumberKings advance to Sunday's Conference Championship round and will travel to face the South Division Champion Catfish.