MWL1 Kane County Cougars

Rogers Blasts Cougars to Third Straight Win

Published on April 12, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release


GENEVA, Ill--- Weather became an important component of the Cougars' 9-8 victory over the Lake County Captains on Saturday at fifth Third Bank Ballpark, as the team used the wind to their advantage late in the ballgame to overcome the Captains' rally.

The Cougars once again took advantage of some first innings mistakes by the opponent to take a 2-0 lead in the opening frame. Carlos Penalver led off reaching on an error and on his stolen base attempt made it to third on a wild throw from the catcher Richard Stock. Ben Carhart brought Penalver in with a double. Two batters later, David Bote drove home Carhart with a single.

Juan Paniagua allowed six base runners in his four innings of work, but the Captains didn't capitalize until the third frame. Claudio Bautista recorded just the second Lake County hit with a double and later scored on Paniagua's wild pitch to cut the Cougars' lead 2-1.

Adam Plutko cruised through the next three innings retiring 12 straight Captain hitters, but fell victim to the Cougars' bats again in the fifth. Will Remillard became the first Cougar to reach base since the opening inning when Plutko hit him with a pitch. Penalver singled Remillard to second, setting the table for Yasiel Balaguert. An RBI single by Balaguert plated Remillard and took Plutko out of the game. The Cougars continued the offense when Jacob Rogers doubled home Balaguert for a 5-1 Cougars' lead.

Lake County got to the Cougars bullpen in the seventh starting with Scott Frazier. Frazier walked the first three hitters that came to the plate including, a wild pitch to bring home a run. After a pitching change brought newest Cougar Josh Davis to the mound, Grant Fink doubled home two more runs to bring the Captains within one. Two batters later Stock tied up the game 5-5 with an RBI single to plate Fink.

The wind picked up in the seventh inning at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark and the Cougars responded. Two walks to Remillard and Penalver helped get the wheels turning in the bottom of the frame. After a pitching change and two outs, Rogers was the Cougars' last hope in the seventh. The first baseman excelled in the situation as he sent a three-run blast over the center field wall to put the Cougars back on top by three runs. Bote joined in on the action sending a solo blast of his own over the right field wall making it 9-5 Cougars.

The ninth inning provided more drama when the Captains flirted with a comeback. Tyler Bremer walked Fink who scored on Stock's double. Paul Hendrix then homered to bring Lake County within one, but Bremer struck out the final two batters to end the threat and the game.

Davis (1-0) picked up the win in his Cougar debut while Kenny Mathews (1-1) suffered the loss.

The Cougars will go for the sweep against the Captain on Sunday at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark. Mitch Brown (0-0, 1.93) will toss for Lake County, while the Cougars' starter still has yet to be announced. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m. For tickets, please call (630) 232-8811 or visit www.kccougars.com.

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Midwest League Stories from April 12, 2014


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