MWL1 Kane County Cougars

Skulina, Dorris Combine for Franchise's 8th

Published on May 17, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release


GENEVA, Ill.- Despite being "Halfway to Halloween Theme Night", odds are the 7,114 fans that entered into Fifth Third Bank Ballpark weren't aware of the treat they would witness Saturday evening. One day shy of exactly three years since the last Cougars' no-hitter, Tyler Skulina and Nathan Dorris no-hit the Quad Cities River Bandits (19-22). Sugar Ray Marimon and Chas Byrne tossed the last Cougar no-no on May 18, 2011 in Cedar Rapids against the Kernels. The history making pitching performance was the main attraction of a Cougars (28-14) 3-0 victory.

Skulina faced the River Bandits earlier this year, holding them to just two base hits through six innings. The Cougars' right-hander continued the dominance on the mound allowing just one base runner through the first three frames.

Quad Cities' best chance to score came in the fourth as Skulina walked Chan Moon and Conrad Gregor, but catcher Will Remillard picked off Gregor at first base and the River Bandits ended the inning without a run. Every frame after that went 1-2-3.

The Cougars pitching was backed with a lead from the second inning on. Carlos Penalver singled home Jake Hannemann, who reached on a walk, in the first inning.

Two more runs came in the fifth inning when Trey Martin scored on an Andrew Thurman throwing error and Hannemann's sacrifice fly to plate Shawon Dunston Jr. The 3-0 lead was plenty for the Cougars' pitching duo of the evening.

With over 90 pitches thrown, Skulina entered the eighth, retired Ronnie Mitchel on a ground out and was done for the day. A long meeting on the mound between manager Mark Johnson and the Cougars' infield ended with a pitching change that brought in lefty Nathan Dorris.

Dorris finished the eighth off quickly on just four pitches. The left-hander struck out Thomas Lindauer to begin the ninth and followed up with a Brett Phillips fly out. Chan Moon was the final batter who grounded out to complete the ballgame and initiate a celebration.

It was the first no-hitter at home since Craig Italiano and Branden Dewing no-hit the Burlington Bees on April 9, 2008.

Skulina (2-1) finished the day with seven and one-third innings of no-hit baseball and five strikeouts. Dorris picked up his third save putting a bow on the evening with one and two-third innings of perfect relief. Thurman (2-3) suffered the loss.

The Cougars hope to take another victory over the River Bandits on Sunday when the four-game series wraps up. Daury Torresz (4-1, 2.88) will take the mound for the Cougars against Quad Cities' Jandel Gustave (2-2, 4.91). First pitch at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark is at 1:00 p.m. For tickets call 630-232-8811 or log onto kccougars.com.

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Midwest League Stories from May 17, 2014


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