AA Kane County Cougars

Cougars Fall to Saltdogs in Another Extra-Inning Contest

June 3, 2021 - American Association (AA)
Kane County Cougars News Release


GENEVA, IL - On a beautiful night for Baseball at Northwestern Medicine Field the Lincoln Salt Dogs started off the scoring in the top of the 1st inning with a David Vidal Sacrifice Fly to deep center field where Justin Byrd was able to get the Salt Dogs on the board first.

In his pro debut, Max Steffens loaded the bases twice in the first two innings, but with some strategic pitches and great defensive plays he was able to get out of the first two innings with only one earned run allowed.

Through the first four innings the Salt Dogs stranded four runners in scoring position, as the Cougars' defense helped out Steffens with Some defense. Jeffrey Baez halted runners with his arm several times throughout the evening.

Kacy Clemens the son of former Cy Young winner Roger Clemens recorded his first hit as a Kane County Cougar with a single to right field in the 5th inning. Clemens was unable to score as he was thrown out on a fielder's choice which saw Cody Young advance to first as Clemens was thrown out at second.

Zak Taylor of the Salt Dogs recorded the 2nd run of the game which gave Lincoln a 2-0 lead with a home run that smacked off the scoreboard at Northwestern Medicine Field in the top of the 6th inning. Steffens was able to record a quality start in his first outing as a Cougar going six innings while only giving up two earned runs.

Keenan Bartlett finished the night for the Lincoln Salt Dogs, pitching five shutout innings with only three hits, and the lack of run support from the Cougars robbed Steffens of his chance to earn his first professional victory.

A bases loaded sacrifice fly to deep center field from Luis Roman in the bottom of the 7th got the Cougars on the board to make the game 2-1 as Nick Zammarelli scored. Brandon Chinea grounded into a fielder's choice to end the 7th inning stranding Clemens in scoring position and leaving the score at 2-1 heading into the final two innings of the game.

Seymour led off the 8th inning with a single, and he was followed up by another single from Allen. Mitch Reeves came to the plate with two on, Reeves made contact and an error by Josh Altmann allowed Seymour to score the tying run. The run spoiled the potential win for Bartlett and eliminated the possibility of a loss for Steffens in his debut.

For the third consecutive game, the Kane County Cougars went to extra innings, and for the second straight night head to extra innings with the Lincoln Salt Dogs on the heels of a 15th inning Cougars win Tuesday night.

In the top of the 11th Forrestt Allday of the Lincoln Salt Dogs came to the plate with the bases loaded and was walked by Jamal Wade to give the Salt Dogs a 3-2 Lead. Wade followed up the Allday walk by walking Justin Byrd to stretch the Salt Dogs lead to 4-2 with his fourth walk of the game and the 11th walk of the evening for the Cougars pitching staff.

Seymour came up to the plate and was down to team's last strike with two runners on, when he hit a bloop single to center field which allowed Clemens to score making the game 4-3 Salt Dogs. Allen was then hit by a pitch leaving the bases loaded for Reeves with a one-run deficit. Louis Martini bobbled a grounder from Reeves, but still shoveled the final out to second in time to end the game.

The Cougars look for their first home series win of the year, hosting the Lincoln Salt Dogs Thursday evening. Lincoln's right-hander Walter Borkovich (0-1, 8.00) will take the mound against the Cougars' Vance Worley (1-1, 3.20). It will be a "Thirsty Thursday" at Northwestern Medicine Field with $2 hot dogs, beers and sodas. For tickets call 630-232-8811 or visit kccougars.com.

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