Cedar Rapids Xavier grad has big day against Kernels

Michael Harrington spoke for probably everyone in the ballpark Sunday evening.

“I'm tired,” the Beloit Snappers outfielder said.

It's been a long last couple of days at Memorial Stadium. You had a day-night doubleheader between Beloit and the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Saturday, then Sunday's game between the clubs started an hour and a half late because of rain and lasted three-plus hours.

Everyone will be right back here for a noon game on Monday. Don't be terribly surprised if Harrington is the first Snapper through the clubhouse door.

The Marengo native and former Cedar Rapids Xavier prep did the home folks proud Sunday, going 4-for-5 with four RBIs to help Beloit beat the Kernels, 9-7.

“Yeah, it felt good,” Harrington said. “The first couple games here were kind of a disappointment. We should have won those. But we were able to get that game last night, and it felt good to win again today. Hopefully we'll take the series tomorrow.”

Watch a video and the mustache Harrington is sporting these days.

It's been a roller-coaster first full season in the Minnesota Twins organization for Harrington, a left-handed hitting outfielder who was drafted last year in the 13th round out of College of Charleston. A 3-for-25 August dropped Harrington's batting average to the .227 mark going into Sunday's game.

Couple that with playing on a Snappers team that is just 44-69 overall, and there have been some low points. Sunday, however, was a high point.

Harrington singled sharply to right and scored a run in the fifth inning, as he did in the sixth after reaching on an RBI bloop single to left. He lined another hit over shortstop in the eighth, then provided what turned out to be the game-winning knock in the ninth, bringing home three runs with a double down the right-field line.

“The whole season has kind of been up and down,” said Harrington, whose parents (who live in Charleston) were at Sunday's game. “I got away with a lot of things in college that I can't get away with now, as far as my swing goes. And going from aluminum bats to wood has been different.

“But I think once I get comfortable, I'll be OK. It's just little things in my swing. I think it can only get better.”