AA Kane County Cougars

Cougars Claim Series Opener

Published on August 30, 2024 under American Association (AA)
Kane County Cougars News Release


GENEVA, Ill. - Thanks to strong pitching and clutch late offense, the Kane County Cougars claimed a 4-2 victory over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks on Friday night at Northwestern Medicine Field.

Early in the game, it was a pitcher's duel between Cougars' (53-44) starter Greg Mahle and Fargo-Moorhead (52-45) hurler Orlando Rodriguez. Both pitchers worked through the first four innings scoreless. Mahle finished the night allowing just one run on four hits with four strikeouts. While Rodriguez allowed just one run on six hits across 5.2 innings.

Fargo-Moorhead claimed the lead in the top of the fifth. Facing Mahle, Michael Hallquist doubled into left-center field. Next up, Peter Brookshaw hit a double of his own to right-center that scored Hallquist to make it 1-0. Harrison Smith helped to keep the game tied in the second by robbing Marcus Chiu of a potential home run in left field.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Cougars tied it up. With one out, Claudio Finol singled and Smith hit a double down the left field line to put two runners aboard. Following a strikeout, Rodriguez departed. Galli Cribbs Jr. then worked a walk off Parker Harm (2-3) to load the bases. Then, Trendon Craig was hit by a pitch to score the tying run.

One inning later, the Cougars took the lead. In the top half, Vin Timpanelli (1-2) worked a scoreless frame. In the bottom half, Cornelius Randolph led off the frame with a double off Harm. Two batters later, Jake Dykhoff entered and promptly walked Josh Allen. After a Finol pop out, Smith smacked a single to score Randolph and make it 2-1. Following Smith, Hayden Dunhurst poked a single through the right side to score Allen and make it 3-1.

In the top of the eighth, Fargo threatened the lead. With one out, Sam Dexter and Kona Quiggle worked back-to-back walks. Following the walks, Tyler Beardsley entered looking for a five-out save. Following a Juan Fernandez fielder's choice, Alec Olund singled to score Dexter and pull Fargo within a run. The Cougars then intentionally walked Ismael Alcantara to load the bases. Initially, it appeared Drew Ward had hit a go-ahead two run single. However, it was ruled that Faro-Moorhead had been batting out of order, and both runs were disallowed to keep the Cougars ahead 3-2.

In the bottom of the eighth, Kane County added some insurance. Randolph hit a two out single to start the rally. Then, Todd Lott ripped a triple into the left field corner to score Randolph and make it 4-2. In the top of the ninth, Beardsley worked a 1-2-3 frame to earn his 11th save of the season.

The Cougars continue the series with Fargo-Moorhead on Saturday night. Right-hander Nile Ball (5-2, 3.04 ERA) is set to go for the RedHawks against Cougars' lefty Tommy Sommer (3-3, 3.87). For tickets and more information call 630-232-8811 or visit kccougars.com/tickets.

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American Association Stories from August 30, 2024


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