By Mike Monaco

SOUTH BEND – Clinton cranked out 16 hits and stormed past South Bend, 9-5, to salvage the series finale Sunday afternoon at Four Winds Field.

The LumberKings (9-34 second half, 35-77 overall), who had only posted two runs total in two losses to start the series, scored two runs in the first and re-took the lead for good with a four-run eighth inning to put away the Cubs (21-22 second half, 50-60 overall).

South Bend starter Zach Hedges allowed one earned run (three total) in five innings, scattering eight hits, walking two and fanning six.

Cubs leadoff man Jeffrey Baez (3-for-5, two runs, two doubles), shortstop Gleyber Torres (3-for-5, one run, one RBI) and left fielder Kevin Encarnacion (2-for-4, two singles, one stolen base) each recorded multi-hit outings.

With two outs in the top of the first inning, Clinton right fielder Estarlyn Morales yanked a two-run single through the left side to push the LumberKings ahead, 2-0, on two unearned runs.

South Bend surged ahead in the bottom of the first, however. With the bases loaded, newcomer Matt Rose ripped a two-run single to center. An error by Clinton third baseman Joe DeCarlo allowed Cubs second baseman David Bote to score on the play, as well, and give South Bend a 3-2 advantage.

The Cubs took a 4-2 lead in the second when right fielder Jeffrey Baez and shortstop Gleyber Torres tallied a double and single, respectively, with Torres driving in Baez with two outs.

LumberKings second baseman Gianfranco Wawoe pulled an RBI double into the left-field corner to score first baseman Pat Leyland and pull Clinton within one, 4-3, in the fourth.

Clinton moved a runner to third in the top of the sixth against Cubs reliever Ryan McNeil, and shortstop Chris Mariscal skied a sacrifice fly to left field to tie the game, 4-4.

With two outs in the top of the seventh, LumberKings third baseman Joe DeCarlo scalded a solo home run to left field to hand Clinton its second lead of the series, 5-4.

Cubs catcher Gioskar Amaya sliced a two-out RBI triple into the right-field corner to score Baez and tie the game, 5-5.

But the LumberKings wasted little time climbing back ahead, as Wawoe swatted a solo home run to left field to lift Clinton back up, 6-5.

Clinton left fielder Burt Reynolds then added a two-run, two-out double to extend the gap to 8-5. Morales’ RBI double made it 9-5.

South Bend enjoys an off day Monday before traveling to Beloit, Wisconsin, for a three-game set with Beloit.