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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing stymied on opening day

April 7, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Swing of the Quad Cities fell behind early and could not rebound Thursday night at Elfstrom Stadium, dropping the season opener, 6-3, to the Kane County Cougars.

Kane County jumped on the board early with a run in the bottom of the first, but the Swing came right back in the top of the second. First baseman Adam Rodgers ripped the first of his two doubles to lead off the frame, and came home two batters later on Wes Swackhamer's single up the middle.

With the game tied 1-1, Kane County took control in the second inning. With men on second and third and one out, Cougars shortstop Justin Sellers broke the stalemate with a bloop two-run single off Swing starter Cory Meacham. He would come in moments later, as leadoff hitter Mike Massaro slapped a run-scoring double to give the home team a 5-1 advantage.

Leading off the top of the third, shortstop Daniel Nelson tried to fight back with a fly ball to left field that turned into his first professional home run. Rodgers would double and score again in the sixth - on a base hit by Randy Roth - but that was all the Swing could muster.

The Quad Cities bullpen pitched very well, turning in four scoreless innings as righthanders Kyle Sadlowski, Jeremy Zick, and Jonathan Mikrut allowed only two hits between them.

Cory Meacham (0-1) took the loss for the Swing, yielding six runs - five earned - on seven hits over four innings, walking two and striking out one. Meacham was 2-2 with a 5.47 ERA out of the bullpen for Quad Cities in 2005.

For the Cougars it was Trey Shields (1-0) earning the victory with six strong innings, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk while fanning three. Steve Sharpe, a starter last year for Kane County, struck out two in a one-two-three ninth inning to pick up the save.

One highlight for the Swing came defensively in the fifth inning. With the bases loaded and one away, Sellers popped up to center field. Colby Rasmus, the Cardinals top pick in the 2005 draft, settled under the fly ball, made the catch, and cut down Jeff Bieker tagging up from third and trying to score.

UP NEXT: The Swing and Cougars play game two of the season-opening series on Friday night, when Quad Cities sends RHP Phillip Andersen (5-1, 2.96 in 2005) to the mound against RHP Vince Mazzaro, who will be making his professional debut. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00, and pre-game coverage on WKBF AM-1270 will begin at 5:45.

NEXT HOMESTAND: The Swing will open the home portion of the schedule at John O'Donnell Stadium on Monday, April 10, at 6:30 against the Clinton LumberKings. LHP Jaime Garcia, 19, will be on the mound for the first time in that contest. Tickets are available to all 2006 home games, as well as the Midwest League All-Star Game, by calling the Swing ticket office at (563) 328-2000.

PROMOTION: Monday's game will feature a magnet schedule giveaway, as well as a season-long Q106.5 Dollar Mondays promotion that offers fans hot dogs, soda, and popcorn for only $1 each. Magnet schedules will also be given away before Tuesday's game, and Wednesday's contest will include a farewell to Wednesday Night Beverage Nights, with half-price drink specials starting when the gates open and lasting until 8:00 p.m. For the rest of the season, drink specials will be available on Thirsty Thursdays.

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Midwest League Stories from April 7, 2006


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