Cougars Fall in 11-Inning Thriller
September 1, 2023 - American Association (AA)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, Ill. - In a thrilling series opener, the Lincoln Saltdogs ultimately came out on top, defeating the Kane County Cougars 4-3 in 11 innings on Friday night at Northwestern Medicine Field.
The game entered extra innings tied at one. With Daniel Bies on the mound for the Cougars (48-49), Lincoln (46-51) struck for one run in the 10th inning on an RBI single by Nate Samson. However, the Cougars quickly responded in the bottom of the 10th, as Olivier Basabe ripped a clutch single to score Josh Allen and tie the game at two.
Logan Nissen (3-6) entered the game in the 11th for the Cougars. After Luis Roman flied out, Drew Devine hit a single to put runners at first and third. Then, Connor Panas hit a fly ball to shallow center that was caught by Michael Woodworth, but Woodworth's throw took a bad hop on the way to the plate which allowed Samson to score the go-ahead run. The Saltdogs added another as Zane Zurbrugg blooped a single to right field to make it 4-2.
In the bottom of the 11th, the Cougars rallied against Lincoln reliever Wyatt Sparks. With Galli Cribbs Jr. starting the inning at second base, Ernny Ordoñez ripped an RBI single to pull the Cougars within a run. Following Ordoñez's single, Cornelius Randolph smacked another base hit to put two men aboard. However, Sparks induced back-to-back pop outs from Todd Lott and Josh Allen to end the ballgame and give Lincoln a 4-3 victory.
Earlier in the night, the game was a pitchers' duel between the two starters. CJ Eldred was once again fantastic for the Cougars. The right-hander allowed just one run on four hits while striking out six hitters against one walk. On the other side for Lincoln, Josh Roeder limited the Cougars to just one run across his five innings of work.
Kane County took the first lead of the night in the bottom of the fifth inning. Lott led off the frame with a hustle double down the right field line. Two batters later, Jonah Davis drove in Lott with an RBI-triple into the right field corner to make it 1-0 Cougars. The lead ended up being short-lived, as Connor Panas belted a solo homer in the top of sixth to tie the game at one before the late drama.
RJ Freure (5-2) earned the win for Lincoln by allowing just one unearned run across 2.1 innings of work. Freuere struck out three Cougars' hitters in his appearance.
Despite the loss, the Cougars clinched a spot in the postseason thanks to the Sioux Falls Canaries victory over the Cleburne Railroaders. The Miles Wolff Cup Playoffs begin next Wednesday, September 6th. While a playoff spot has been clinched, the Cougars' opponent and home dates are to be determined.
The Cougars continue the series with the Saltdogs on Saturday night. Left-hander Abdallah Aris (5-4, 4.50 ERA) will take the mound for Lincoln against Cougars' righty Karch Kowalczyk (0-0-1.13 ERA). Saturday's game will be Stars Wars Night at Northwestern Medicine Field. For tickets and more information call 630-232-8811 or visit kccougars.com/tickets.
American Association Stories from September 1, 2023
- Explorers Wide Awake In Double Dip Sweep Of Dogs - Sioux City Explorers
- Middle-Inning Deficit Proves Too Much to Overcome in Series Opener - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Pilot's Gem, Thomas' 3 RBI Gives RedHawks Playoff Birth - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Hogan, Hot Bats Help Monarchs Cruise to Win - Kansas City Monarchs
- Achenbach, Culbreth Lead Canaries Over Cleburne - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Pilot's Gem, Thomas' 3 RBIs Gives RedHawks Playoff Birth - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Cougars Fall in 11-Inning Thriller - Kane County Cougars
- Milkmen Use Big Third Inning to Top RailCats in Final Series Opener - Milwaukee Milkmen
- 'Dogs Win Against Cougars in Extras; Eliminated from Playoffs with RedHawks' Win - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Hart Tabbed as Rawlings Batter of the Month - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Shawaryn with a Quality Start, Despite Loss - Lake Country DockHounds
- Monarchs Claim Final Game of the Series - Sioux City Explorers
- Pina's Four RBIs Collars 'Hounds for Series Sweep - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Milkmen Lifted by Late Pitching to Take Series from Kane County Thursday Night - Milwaukee Milkmen
- Dogs Score Big Early, Take Down RailCats in Finale - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Monarchs Win Fourth Division Title in Four Years - Kansas City Monarchs
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.
