Cougars Prepare for a Swarm of Bees
September 7, 2009 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, IL - The Kane County Cougars put the finishing touches on the 2009 regular season Monday afternoon with a 4-2 win against the Quad Cities River Bandits, and have their eyes towards the start of the Midwest League Playoffs - their 11th playoff appearance in 19 seasons.
The league's postseason kicks off Wednesday as the Cougars will battle the Burlington Bees in a first round, best-of-three series. As first half Western Division champions, the Cougars oppose Burlington, which claimed the second half wild card spot. Game 1 of the series takes place at Burlington this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and the Cougars will return home for Game 2 the following night - also a 6:30 p.m. first pitch. A third and "if necessary" game will also be played in Geneva on Friday at 6:30 p.m. At this point, the only guaranteed home playoff game will take place on Thursday night. Tickets to see the Cougars - winners of 11 of their last 15 games of the regular season - are available for this Thursday and can be ordered at www.kccougars.com or by calling (630) 232-8811.
Kane County manager Steve Scarsone is likely to hand the start in Game 1 to Cougars right hander Kenny Smalley. Smalley, a 2009 Midwest League mid-season and post-season All-Star who is the first-ever Cougar from the Tri-Cities, won nine games during the regular season and led the starting rotation with a 2.73 ERA.
If the Cougars advance into the playoff's second round, they would host Game 1 against the Peoria/Cedar Rapids winner in a best-of-3 series. Games 2 and 3 (if necessary) would take place on the road.
Fans are encouraged to get their hands on playoff tickets by calling the Cougars box office at (630) 232-8811 or visiting www.kccougars.com. The Cougars won their only Midwest League Championship in 2001 with a squad that featured current big league stars such as Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Willingham and Miguel Cabrera.
Midwest League Playoff Schedule:
Date Time Opponent Location
Round 1 vs. Burlington (best-of-three)
Wednesday, September 9 6:30 PM Burlington Community Field, Burlington, IA
Thursday, September 10 6:30 PM Burlington Elfstrom Stadium, Geneva, IL
Friday, September 11* 6:30 PM Burlington Elfstrom Stadium, Geneva, IL
*if necessary
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
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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
