SERIES PREVIEW: Kernels vs Beloit

BELOIT SNAPPERS (16-10) @ CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS (18-10)

Games: @ PERFECT GAME FIELD, CEDAR RAPIDS

Saturday @ 6:35 p.m.

Sunday @ 2:05 p.m.

Monday @ 12:05 p.m.

Last 10 Games: Cedar Rapids (6-4) Beloit (7-3)

Cedar Rapids at Home: 8-5

Beloit on the Road: 6-5

This is another big series for the Kernels. The Kernels lead Beloit by 1 game in the standings. The Kernels are in 2nd place. Beloit is in 3rd place. The top two teams from the first half advance to the Midwest League playoffs.

Pitching Rotation:

Game 1: CR: RHP Brian Diemer (3-1, 1.99) vs Bel: RHP B.J. Hermsen (2-3, 4.23)

Diemer has picked up wins in his last three outings. His last start was Monday at Kane County. He went six innings, allowing no runs on three hits. He struck out five and walked none. He faced the Snappers on April 17 in relief. Out of the bullpen he went one inning, allowing one run on no hits. Hermsen, the Masonville, IA native, started last on Monday at Clinton. He took the loss, going 4.2 innings and allowing seven runs (six earned). Hermsen's best start was on April 27 against Burlington in Beloit. He was the winning pitcher, going seven innings and allowing one run on four hits. He struck out seven and walked one.

Game 2: CR: LHP Max Russell vs Bel: LHP Logan Darnell

Russell was magnificent during his last start on Tuesday at Kane County. He went seven innings, allowing no runs on two hits. He struck out five and walked one. Russell started against Beloit on April 17. He took the loss, only going 2.1 innings. He allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits. Darnell last pitched on Tuesday at Clinton. He was the winning pitcher, going six innings and allowing three runs on six hits.

Game 3: CR: RHP Heath Nichols vs Bel: RHP Adrian Salcedo

Nichols pitched last on Wednesday against Burlington. He received a no decision, going six innings and allowing three runs. He struck out five and walked one. Nichols faced Beloit on April 17 in game one of a doubleheader. He went 4.2 innings in a no decision effort. He allowed three runs on four hits. Salcedo started on Wednesday against Wisconsin. He was the winning pitcher, going seven innings and allowing one run on five hits. He struck out eight and walked none. Salcedo faced the Kernels on April 17. He lost the ballgame, going 4.2 innings and allowing four runs (three earned).

By: Morgan Hawk, Kernels radio broadcaster