Pitching Leads Cougars Past RailCats
August 20, 2023 - American Association (AA)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, Ill. - The Kane County Cougars earned a series victory over the Gary SouthShore Railcats with a 3-1 win on Sunday afternoon at Northwestern Medicine Field. Five Cougar (43-44) pitchers combined to limit Gary (36-50) to just one run on four hits leading the way to the win.
For the second straight game, the Cougars jumped out to a lead in the bottom of the first. Facing starter Harrison Francis, Armond Upshaw led off with a ground-rule double over the wall in right-center. Following an Ernny Ordonãez flyout, Cornelius Randolph poked a single to score Upshaw and make it 1-0.
Cougars' pitching coach Karch Kowalczyk made his 2023 debut as a player and did not disappoint as the starter. The right-hander tossed four scoreless and hitless innings while racking up three strikeouts against one walk.
In relief of Kowalczyk, Ryan Richardson entered the game and continued to hold Gary down. Richardson worked two scoreless frames and allowed just one hit while striking out two hitters.
Gary finally got on the board in the top of the seventh against Keith Rogalla (2-4). With one out, Jackson Valera worked a walk before reaching third on a Jacob Bockelie single. After an LG Castillo walk, Francisco Del Valle pulled a single to right field to score Valera and even the game at one.
However, the Cougars had a quick response to the Gary rally. Facing reliever Joan Valdez (0-5), Josh Allen and Hector Sanchez worked back-to-back walks before Olivier Basabe reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases. Then, Ashton Creal flied out to left field, but the Railcats committed a throwing error trying to catch Basabe off first base. The error allowed Allen to score to make it 2-1. Kane County added another run on Galli Cribbs Jr. sac fly to push the lead to 3-1.
In the eighth and ninth innings, CJ Carter and Logan Nissen tossed one scoreless frame each to end game. It was the third save of the season for Nissen. Despite coming out on the losing end, Gary starter Harrison Francis earned a quality start as he allowed just one run on four hits and struck out nine hitters. With the win, the Cougars won the series and clinched a 4-2 homestand.
Kane County will have an off day tomorrow before taking on the Cleburne Railroaders for six games in Texas. The Cougars return to Northwestern Medicine Field on Friday, September 1st for a four-game series against the Lincoln Saltdogs to conclude the regular season. Promotions for the upcoming homestand include Tie-Dye Night on Friday, September 1st and Star Wars Night on Saturday, September 2nd. For tickets and more information call 630-232-8811 or visit kccougars.com/tickets.
American Association Stories from August 20, 2023
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