Cougars Get Back on Track with Rout

Published on July 5, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release

CLINTON, Iowa - After scoring just two runs on 16 hits in 27 innings during their three-game losing streak, the Kane County Cougars got back on track Sunday night. They pounded the Clinton LumberKings, 8-2, in front of 1,388 fans at Alliant Energy to even the four-game series and snap the skid. Kenny Smalley notched another quality start, and Dusty Napoleon reached base five times to lead the offense's nine-hit attack.

The Cougars took a lead they did not relinquish with a four-run third. After the first two tallies scored on a Clinton fielding error, Steve Parker smashed a two-out two-run single to make it 4-0 against Kenn Kasparek (4-5). Then in the fourth Leonardo Gil tripled home Chris Berroa. Clinton managed a run in the bottom half against Smalley, but the Cougars responded with three more in the next two innings. Berroa drove in a run in the fifth with a fielder's choice, and Jeremy Barfield poked an RBI double and scored on a wild pitch in the sixth.

Smalley (7-3) has posted five quality starts in his last six outings. He gave up two runs -- one earned -- on four hits, walked two and struck out four. He now has yielded one earned run in 12 innings against Clinton this season. Brett Hunter struck out eight in 2 2/3 innings of relief, and Trey Barham recorded the final out in non-save fashion.

The Cougars (5-5, 46-34) and LumberKings (5-5, 45-35) continue the four-game set Monday night at 7 CDT. Pedro Figueroa (9-2, 3.10) will oppose Maikel Cleto (0-0, 3.52).

Midwest League Stories from July 5, 2009

• Defense, Smalley Plague Kings - Clinton LumberKings
• Cougars Get Back on Track with Rout - Kane County Cougars
• Five Appleton Baseball Alums heading to MLB All-Star Game - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Kernels Catch a Break in 4-3 Win - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Bees Score Eight Runs on Ten Hits But Lose - Burlington Bees
• Wiley Belts Three Homers, But Dragons Lose Wild Game at West Michigan - Dayton Dragons
• Ramirez and Johnson Both Single in Chiefs 4-2 Loss - Peoria Chiefs
• 'Caps with a Second Round of Fireworks - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Rattlers Bats Shine in Burlington - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Error Costs Bandits - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Watt Nearly Flawless in 4-1 Fort Wayne Victory - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• Loons Fall at Fort Wayne, 4-1 - Great Lakes Loons
• Silver Hawks Down Lugnuts Again, 7-1 - Lansing Lugnuts
• Navarro and Moorhouse Lead Hawks to Second Straight - South Bend Silver Hawks
• Sinclair to DL, Wilson Joins Hawks - South Bend Silver Hawks

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.

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