Cougars Head to Playoffs off Victory
September 7, 2009 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, Ill. - The Kane County Cougars wrapped up the regular-season portion of their 2009 schedule Monday afternoon by beating the Quad Cities River Bandits, 4-2, in front of 7,685 at Elfstrom Stadium. The Cougars finished at 75-64, the 6th-highest win total in the 19-year history of the franchise. Jeremy Barfield had three hits, Justin Murray got his fifth win and Paul Smyth notched his second save. The Cougars are off Tuesday and start the playoffs Wednesday night.
Tyler Ladendorf and Franklin Hernandez each nailed bases-loaded RBI singles in the second to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead. After the River Bandits scored once in the third and tied it in the eighth, the Cougars pulled ahead again in the eighth. Carlos Arrieche delivered a bases-loaded RBI fielder's choice, and a second run scored on a throwing error to make it 4-2.
Scott Deal made a spot start and gave up one in 2 2/3 innings in a no-decision. Jose Guzman tossed 3 1/3 scoreless, and A.J. Huttenlocker logged a run-free seventh. Murray (5-1) gave up a run in the eighth and got the win, and Smyth worked a 1-2-3 ninth for the save and ran his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 36 1/3.
The Cougars (35-35, 76-64), who won their final four series of the regular season, begin post-season play Wednesday night at 6:30 CT with the opener of a best-of-three series against the Burlington Bees. Game 1 is in Iowa and features Kenny Smalley (9-8, 2.73) against Ivor Hodsdon (3-1, 4.08). Game 2 is Thursday night at Elfstrom Stadium, and the Cougars would also host Game 3 if necessary.
6:15 PM (CDT) Pre-Game Show, 6:30 First Pitch on WBIG 1280-AM
Wednesday's Probable Starters
RHP Kenny Smalley (9-8, 2.73*)
Vs.
LHP Ivor Hodgson (3-1, 4.08*)
Midwest League Stories from September 7, 2009
- Kernels rally for 5-4 win over Bees - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Loons fall to Dayton in regular season finale - Great Lakes Loons
- Dragons beat Great Lakes in series finale - Dayton Dragons
- Beloit tops Wisconsin, 5-1 - Beloit Sky Carp
- Chiefs end best half in franchise history with 4-3 win - Peoria Chiefs
- Bees lose regular season finale - Burlington Bees
- Cougars Prepare for a Swarm of Bees - Kane County Cougars
- Tincaps Take Finale, Sweep Whitecaps - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Rattlers End Season with Loss - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- TinCaps' Season Best in MWL Since 1987 - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- TinCaps Hold on to Beat Whitecaps, 3-1 - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Scrugg's Homer Not Enough in 4-2 Loss - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Lugnuts Close Out 2009 With 4-3 Loss to Hawks - Lansing Lugnuts
- Hawks End Regular Season on Winning Note - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Cougars Head to Playoffs off Victory - Kane County Cougars
- Midwest League Round 1 Playoff Schedule Announced - MWL1
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.
Other Recent Kane County Cougars Stories
- Cougars Combine for No-Hitter and Take Series against Saltdogs
- Cougars Drop Heartbreaker in the 11th Inning
- Cougars Take Series Opener Against Saltdogs 3-1
- Cougars Steal Series in Extras against Goldeyes
- Cougars and Goldeyes Split Doubleheader to Start Series
