Late Cougars Rally Comes up Short
August 21, 2022 - American Association (AA)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, Ill. - The Kane County Cougars mounted a rally in the bottom of the ninth inning, but ultimately fell to the Cleburne Railroaders in a 5-3 final on Saturday night at Northwestern Medicine Field.
Trailing 5-0 entering the bottom of the ninth the Cougars (44-42) began to rally against Cleburne (39-46) reliever Brendan Bell. With one out, Jimmy Kerrigan singled into left field to get the comeback started. Following Kerrigan's single, Dylan Busby crushed a two-run homer over the left-center field fence to pull the Cougars within three runs. After Josh Rolette drew a walk and reached second base on a wild pitch, Alexis Pantoja smacked a double into the right field corner to score Rolette and make it 5-3.
Following Pantoja's double, Cleburne turned to closer Nick Gardewine. With the tying run a the plate each time, Gardewine recorded back-to-back strikeouts of BJ Lopez and Galli Cribbs to end the ballgame.
Prior to the late rally, the Cougars were held scoreless for the first eight innings. Starter Josh Lucas (2-4) allowed just three hits with three strikeouts against four walks through seven innings of work.
For the second straight night, Cleburne took the lead in the top of the first inning. Facing Cougars' starter Koby Bishop (0-3), Chuck Taylor led off the ballgame with a double. The next batter, Edwin Arroyo, smacked a single to score Taylor and make it 1-0.
The Railroaders added another run in the top of the fifth inning. With one out, Wyatt Mathisen belted a solo homer off Bishop that made it 2-0. Cleburne went on to add another run in the top of the eighth on a bases loaded walk of Chase Simpson that made it a three-run edge.
In the top of the ninth, Cleburne added two more runs. Kacy Clemens led off the inning with a solo home run against his former team. Later in the inning, Edwin Arroyo grounded into a fielder's choice that scored another run to make it 5-0.
The series with the Railroaders concludes Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. Right-hander Garrett Alexander (3-7, 8.06) will take the hill for Cleburne against Cougars' righty Westin Muir (5-0, 3.83). Following tomorrow's game and an off day, the Cougars will host the Lincoln Salt Dogs for three games at Northwestern Medicine Field. For tickets call 630-232-8811 or visit kccougars.com/tickets.
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