Cougars Claim MTC
Tournament Championship
For the ninth straight year, the Cougars can call themselves champions of the Midland Trail Conference Tournament.
With a record-setting pitching performance, Tanner Bushue propelled the Cougars to the crown with 20 stikeouts
in the 5-0 victory over the Dieterich Movin' Maroons in the title game.
Allowing just an infield single to lead off the third, Bushue recorded the first 20 outs via the strikeout
before Dieterich's Nick Wendling grounded out on a 3-2 pitch to end the game.
The previous strikeout record of 19 was held by 2005 grad Spencer Patton.
Offensively, the Cougars waited until the 4th to break the scoreless tie. Shea Burton led off the inning with
a walk and advanced to second on a single by Lance Schneider. After a strikeout, Zac Cain delivered an RBI single for a 1-0
lead.
In the fifth, the Cougars put a runner in scoring position with back-to-back walks to Burton and Schneider before
Bushue laced an RBI single to make it 2-0.
Then in the sixth, the Cougars erupted for three more. Justin Armstrong lofted an RBI sacrifice fly to
plate the first run and two more would cross the plate on a fielding error by the Maroon's second baseman.
Devin Hall banged out three singles to lead the Cougars and catcher Zac Cain chipped in with a single,
a double, and 1 RBI.
To reach the championship contest, the Cougars disposed of Clay City in the semifinal game by a score
of 10-0.
Lance Schneider picked up his fifth win of the season with a complete-game performance allowing no runs on
3 hits, 5 strikeouts, and 2 walks.
Will Crain and Shae Burton led the offensive attack with a pair of safeties each.
Congratulations Cougars on
Another Outstanding Season!!!