MWL1 Kane County Cougars

Cougars Figure out Beloit

Published on June 27, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release


BELOIT, Wis. - When meeting head-to-head the Cougars and Snappers become some of the most evenly matched teams. Six of the past 10 contests between the two squads have been decided by two or less runs and Friday at Pohlman Field was no different. Another dramatic game was decided in extra innings as the Cougars (6-2, 51-27) picked up their first victory in Beloit, Wisconsin with a 3-2 win over the Snappers (2-6, 32-46).

Jumping out quickly to a 2-0 lead, the Cougars received back-to-back singles from Yasiel Balaguert and Jacob Rogers. Beloit quickly evened things up with a two-run home run from Jaycob Brugman in the bottom of the opening inning.

Then pitching dominated the ballgame.

In his second start back with the Cougars, Pierce Johnson never suffered another hit after the two-run blast. He worked over the Snappers lineup facing the minimum through the next six innings and striking out seven. Johnson also received help from his defense with three double plays.

The Cougars were one clutch hit away from avoiding extras, as they had the bases loaded with nobody out in the ninth, but reliever Bobby Wahl struck out Jeimer Candelario and Trey Martin before getting pinch hitter Ben Carhart to fly out and end the threat.

Juan Paniagua came in after Johnson in the eighth and struck out the side in the ninth to move the game to the tenth.

Jacob Hannemann started off things with a leadoff single and moved to second on Carlos Penalver's sacrifice bunt. Beloit didn't want to risk pitching to hot-hitting Kyle Schwarber and took their chances with Shawon Dunston Jr. After an intentional walk to the first round draft pick, Dunston lined a single up the middle to plate Hannemann for a 3-2 lead in the 10th.

The drama continued with a two-out single from Luis Baez in the bottom of the 10th, but Phil Pohl popped a foul ball that Candelario was just able to snag over the fence of the concourse to put the ballgame away.

Paniagua (4-3) earned the win with three shutout innings and six strikeouts. Sam Roberts (0-2) suffered the loss giving up the run in the 10 th.

The series continues on Saturday featuring a pitching matchup of Duane Underwood (1-2, 2.96) for the Cougars and Kyle Finnegan (6-4, 2.76) for the Snappers. First pitch from Pohlman Field is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The game can be heard on AM 1280 WBIG and kccougars.com.

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Midwest League Stories from June 27, 2014


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