MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Diapoules, Kingrey Help Bandits End Skid

Published on May 10, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Quad Cities River Bandits got a strong pitching performance from Mark Diapoules and an early lead thanks to Charlie Kingrey on Saturday night, snapping a five-game losing streak with a 4-1 win over the Kane County Cougars in front of 3,494 excited fans at Modern Woodmen Park.

Quad Cities (17-16) plated two runs in the first inning and led throughout, withstanding a late Cougars' threat to hold on for the win. Kane County (22-11) got an impressive outing from starter Travis Banwart, who struck out nine over 6.2 innings in a losing effort.

For the third time in as many games this series, the River Bandits started the night off by issuing a leadoff walk. Unlike the first two nights, however, they escaped the top of the first inning without allowing a run.

That gave Quad Cities a chance to grab their first lead of the series in the bottom of the opening frame. Jose Garcia slapped a single to right to start things off and Pete Kozma followed with a bouncing ball up the middle for a base hit. Two pitches later, Charlie Kingrey smoked a two-run double to the gap in right-center, taking over the team lead with 20 runs batted in while giving the River Bandits an early 2-0 edge.

Mark Diapoules (2-0) earned the victory with another stingy outing, tossing five shutout innings and allowing just four hits. The 19-year-old from Florida struck out three and walked one, leaving five Cougars' baserunners stranded. In four appearances since joining the River Bandits, Diapoules has allowed just two runs while going 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 18 innings.

The 2-0 advantage remained all the way until the top of the eighth, when Kane County got a one-out triple from Corey Brown to drive in a run and cut the deficit to 2-1. Piggyback starter Nick Additon was able to wiggle out of the jam from there, however, getting a pair of pop-outs to strand runners at the corners and preserve the one-run lead.

Moments later, the River Bandits added two crucial insurance runs. After Kingrey reached on a one-out error, Andrew Brown doubled him to third. Paul Vazquez followed with a run-scoring single to right and Osvaldo Morales added a sacrifice fly, making it a 4-1 ballgame.

After a leadoff walk in the top of the ninth, reliever Pete Parise (1) came in with a 2-0 count, one out, and a man aboard. He issued two straight balls to put men at first and second and bring the tying run to the plate, but promptly induced a 5-4-3 double play from Adam Klein to notch his first save of the year.

Kane County's Travis Banwart (2-3) suffered the tough-luck loss, allowing two runs on six hits over 6.2 innings while fanning nine. After giving up two runs on three consecutive hits to open the game, the righty out of Wichita State retired 18 of the last 22 batters he faced while recording all nine of his strikeouts and allowing just three more hits.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits conclude their home series against Kane County on Sunday with a U.S. Bank Family Sunday, featuring clowns, face-painters, and the chance for kids to run the bases and get player autographs after the game! Merchandise featuring the new team name and logo is currently available by visiting the Modern Woodmen Park team store, and season ticket packages, mini-packages, and the popular You-Pick-10 Plan are on sale at the park or by calling (563) 3-BANDITS!

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from May 10, 2008


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