Cougars' Comeback Falls Short Against Whitecaps

April 27, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release

Grand Rapids, MI - The Kane County Cougars trailed the West Michigan Whitecaps 6-0 after the first inning and 7-0 after two frames on Thursday night, eventually battling back but losing 8-4 in game three of the series. The bullpen trio of Joe Piekarz, Ron Madej and Brad Kilby gave up one earned run in seven innings, but the Cougars couldn't overcome starter Trey Shields' rough beginning. Justin Sellers cracked three hits to lead the 10-hit offensive attack.

Shields gave up six runs on nine hits in the first inning, walking none and fanning none after facing 11 batters. He gave way to Piekarz, who issued three walks and hit one batter during the second as the Whitecaps went up 7-0.

Frank Martinez singled off 'Caps starter Burke Badenhop in the third to bring home Wilber Perez and get the Cougars on the board, but the run was offset by an unearned tally for West Michigan in the bottom half that made it 8-1.

Kane County held the home team scoreless the rest of the way and tried to overcome the large deficit. Jeff Bieker's ground out in the fourth scored Steve Kleen for an 8-2 count. Sellers poked a run-scoring hit in the seventh to plate Perez, and it was 8-3. Badenhop left after seven innings and allowed two runs on 10 hits. The Cougars loaded the bases in the ninth against reliever Gibbs Wilson, who was then replaced by Anthony Claggett, but a walk to Nick Blasi that brought in Bieker was the lone run in the frame.

Shields (2-3) got hooked for the loss, Badenhop (2-0) nabbed the win and Claggett posted his first save. The Cougars (12-9) hope to split the series with a win Friday afternoon at 2 CDT. Vince Mazzaro (2-1, 4.95) takes the mound against left-hander Luke French (2-1, 3.52) for the Whitecaps (12-8).

Midwest League Stories from April 27, 2006

• Roth's walkoff blast ends marathon - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Three Not a Charm For the Bees - Burlington Bees
• Kirkman, Coffman Two-Hit South Bend - Clinton LumberKings
• Peoria Picks Up Win Over Wilson and Dragons 6-2 - Dayton Dragons
• With a fast start, the Whitecaps roll - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Lugnuts Win Sixth Straight - Lansing Lugnuts
• Rays Swat the Bees 4-2 - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
• 'Caps Get Interim Coach; Tom Brookens Set to Assist Staff - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Cougars' Comeback Falls Short Against Whitecaps - Kane County Cougars
• Rattlers win ugly - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Norwood, Chiefs Pound Rehabbing Wilson 6-2 - Peoria Chiefs
• Big Leaguer in A Ball - Dayton Dragons

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Kane County Cougars Stories

• Cougars Combine for No-Hitter and Take Series against Saltdogs
• Cougars Drop Heartbreaker in the 11th Inning
• Cougars Take Series Opener Against Saltdogs 3-1
• Cougars Steal Series in Extras against Goldeyes
• Cougars and Goldeyes Split Doubleheader to Start Series