Cougars Split a Pair in Indiana

Published on May 9, 2007 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release

Fort Wayne, IN - The Kane County Cougars knocked out 14 hits en route to an 8-4 win over the Fort Wayne Wizards on Wednesday afternoon at Memorial Stadium. That victory was the completion of Tuesday night's rain-suspended contest, and the Wizards won the second game, 15-4.

The Cougars trailed 1-0 in Game 1 when they broke through in the sixth. Greg Dowling doubled home Jermaine Mitchell, who had three hits, and Alex Valdez plated two with a single off reliever Brooks Dunn to give the Cougars a 3-1 lead. Christian Vitters' squeeze bunt in the seventh scored Isaac Omura to make it 4-1 before the Wizards scored twice in the bottom half against Joe Piekarz, who worked 3 2/3 innings in relief of starter Scott Deal.

The Cougars scored two runs in the eighth on run-scoring singles by Valdez and Omura and added two more in the eighth. Branden Dewing (1-0) picked up the win and gave up Fort Wayne's final run in the ninth, ending his consecutive scoreless innings streak at 16 2/3.

Craig Italiano (0-3) started Game 2 for the Cougars but failed to get through two innings. He allowed 10 runs -- seven of which came in the second frame -- on 10 hits in the loss. Gustavo Rosendo had two RBIs for the Cougars' offense while Matt Sulentic and Todd Johnson each had one and Haas Pratt roped two doubles. Pratt also pitched the sixth inning to save the Kane County bullpen.

The Cougars (6-24) and Wizards (15-14) continue their four-game series Thursday night at 5 CDT. Andrew Bailey (0-1, 6.75) makes his first start of '07 and faces Stephen Faris (1-1, 1.29).

Midwest League Stories from May 9, 2007

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• Bees Power Past LumberKings - Burlington Bees
• Wisconsin Bullpen Baffles Loons - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Four Solo Homers Lead Dayton Past Chiefs 10-7 - Peoria Chiefs
• Turner with Four Hits, Three RBI as Dragons Win - Dayton Dragons
• Three home runs lead Kernels past the Whitecaps - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Loons Wearing Pink Jerseys Thursday - Great Lakes Loons
• Cougars Split a Pair in Indiana - Kane County Cougars
• IIAC Baseball Tournament starts Thursday, May 10th - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Boudreaux Activated - Burlington Bees
• Swing Score Early, Often in Win - Lansing Lugnuts
• College Rivals Meet at Fifth Third Ballpark - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Swing Reach High Water Mark With A 6-2 Win - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Chiefs Place Dolis on DL, Billek Added to Roster - Peoria Chiefs

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