Cougars Get Back On Winning Track
April 15, 2008 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, IL - The Kane County Cougars walked off with a win for the second time in a week on Tuesday afternoon when Corey Brown drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth to bring in Shane Keough for a 3-2 triumph over the South Bend Silver Hawks in front of 6,044 fans at Elfstrom Stadium. The victory gives the Cougars 11 wins in 12 games to start the season and keeps them with at least a two-game lead atop the Western Division.
Starter Craig Italiano, in his first game since throwing a combined no-hitter, gave up an unearned run in the first inning and pitched well over his 4 1/3 innings. He yielded the one run on five hits, walked two and set a new career high with 10 strikeouts. The Cougars tied the game for him in the third when Matt Ray doubled home Walter Correa against Bryan Augenstein.
It remained 1-1 until the sixth inning when the Cougars jumped ahead. Christian Vitters was at the plate with the bases loaded when Tom Layne uncorked a wild pitch to bring in Greg Dowling for a 2-1 score. The Silver Hawks countered with a tally in the eighth when they benefited from a hit and an error versus Brad Hertzler and notched a sacrifice fly against Jose Fragoso, making it 2-2.
Jake Smith led off the bottom of the ninth and got credit for a double off Evan Scribner when center fielder Evan Frey lost the ball in the sun. After Vitters singled to move the pinch-runner Keough to third, Jonathan Johnston was walked intentionally with one out to load the bases. Then with two outs Brown took a 3-1 pitch outside to lead the Cougars to the win. Fragoso (1-0) recorded the win, and Scribner (0-1) got saddled with the loss.
The Cougars (11-1) and Silver Hawks (2-10) conclude their three-game series Wednesday at noon CT when Travis Banwart (2-0) faces Jarrod Parker (0-1). Then the Cougars start a six-game, seven-day road trip Thursday night in Lansing.
Midwest League Stories from April 15, 2008
- Chiefs Fall to Whitecaps 5-1 - Peoria Chiefs
- ÂÂLoons' Longballs Blowin' in the Wind - Great Lakes Loons
- Loons use the long ball to take game two, 5-3 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Parmelee Plays Hero in Snappers Extra-Inning Win - Beloit Sky Carp
- Wizards Edge Rattlers - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Dragons Fall in 11 Innings at Beloit - Dayton Dragons
- Lugnuts Drop Burlington, 5-1 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Lansing Evens Series; Rubber Game Set For Wednesday - Burlington Bees
- Pitchers clamp down to end Whitecaps slide - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Chiefs Fall 5-1 Tuesday Night - Peoria Chiefs
- Cougars Get Back On Winning Track - Kane County Cougars
- Get Back To The 70's Tomorrow Night With The Kernels - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Loons Shutout in Cedar Rapids - Great Lakes Loons
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