Mazzaro, Cougars Mow Past Kernels

May 20, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release

Cedar Rapids, IA - Vince Mazzaro pitched the best outing of his brief professional career Saturday night to lead the Kane County Cougars to a 4-0 win over the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The 19-year-old lasted seven innings and walked only one en route to his team-leading fourth win, and T.J. Franco pitched the final two innings for his first professional save. The Cougars have won four in a row and remain in sole possession of first place in the Western Division by, at the very least, a half game.

After Kernels starter Kelly Shearer left in the third inning with an injury, Jeff Baisley drove in Mike Massaro with a double off Chris Howell to give the Cougars pitchers all the support they would need. Massaro and Nick Blasi smacked consecutive run-scoring doubles in the seventh off Tim Didjurgis for a 3-0 game, and Justin Sellers rocked a ninth-inning solo home run over the tall fence in left to complete the tallies.

Mazzaro (4-4) had one perfect inning and faced the minimum in three other frames due to some sparkling Cougars defense. He struck out four and gave up six hits, pitching more than five innings and giving up no runs for the first time in his nine-outing career. Franco surrendered one hit during his time on the mound. Shearer (1-5) took the loss.

The Cougars (24-18) and Kernels (20-23) play again Sunday afternoon at 2 CDT. Jeff Gray (2-4, 7.50) will face Stephen Marek (4-1, 2.25).

Midwest League Stories from May 20, 2006

• Howell's heroics can't lift Kernels past Cougars - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Veal Sensational in Chiefs 2-1 Victory - Peoria Chiefs
• Mazzaro, Cougars Mow Past Kernels - Kane County Cougars
• Whitecaps survive several South Bend rallies - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Anderson fuels the comeback bid with first homer of the season and 3-for-4 night - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Devil Rays Thwart Dragons Rally to Win 5-3 - Dayton Dragons
• Rattlers implode in ninth; Bees win seventh straight - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Lugnuts Put Spell On Wizards - Lansing Lugnuts
• Devil Rays Take Down Dragons - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
• Thibault to DL; Everett Joins Bees - Burlington Bees
• Three Players Join 'Caps - West Michigan Whitecaps

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