Cougars Hang on to Clip Loons
April 21, 2008 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
MIDLAND, Mich. - Michael Richard had three hits and scored three runs Monday night to help the Kane County Cougars to a 6-4 victory over the Great Lakes Loons at Dow Diamond. Craig Italiano worked five innings for the victory, and Justin Friend saved his first game of the year, as the Cougars, who never trailed in the game, fought off a Loons rally in the bottom of the ninth.
Richard, making his first start since April 9 because of a tender right thumb, singled to lead off the game and later scored on a wild pitch to make it 1-0. After the Loons got their only earned run of the night off Italiano in the bottom half, Richard singled to start the third and came home on Corey Brown's sacrifice fly. The Loons tied it again, 2-2, in the fourth with an unearned tally against Italiano (2-0), who left after five innings and gave up two runs -- one earned -- on three hits, walked two and fanned five. He received the win because Todd Johnson scored in the top of the sixth on a passed ball, and the Cougars never relinquished the lead. Greg Dowling and Michael Lissman poked back-to-back run-scoring singles in the seventh off Geison Aguasviva (1-1) to make it 5-2, and after the Loons got one back in the bottom portion off Scott Moore, a balk brought in Christian Vitters in the eighth for a 6-3 score.
Branden Dewing started the ninth but left after the leadoff man reached on an error, and Friend took over. After a walk and an out, the Loons scored the unearned run on a fielder's choice to cut it to 6-4. Then Friend recorded a strikeout, issued a walk to load the bases and struck out Jamie Ortiz to end it.
The Cougars (15-2) and Loons (9-8) continue their three-game series Tuesday night. Travis Banwart (2-0, 3.38) will face Kyle Smit (0-1, 6.75).
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