Although the Cougars were stunned by Stew-Stras on Tuesday, they still managed to win two other games over the past
week and ran their record to 17-6. The much anticipated game with Newton on Thursday was postponed because of wet grounds, but has been rescheduled
for Tuesday the 20th.
Much like last year, when
the Cougars held on for a 14-13 win, Friday's annual match-up with the Salem Wildcats was another slugfest, as both teams
combined for 31 hits and 23 runs scored. 16 of those hits belonged to the Cougars, as well as 14 of the runs, and their streak
of consecutive wins over the Wildcats was kept intact.
Starting pitcher Spencer
Patton pitched respectably in his 4 1/3 innings of work and picked-up his second win of the season. Jeremy Chasteen finished
things up and the duo combined for a 2 walk, 7 strikeout performance.
Offensively for the Cougars,
Nick Jones banged out 3 hits with a solo HR, a grand slam HR, a single and 6 RBI's, while Tyler Burns stroked 2 singles and
a double with 1 RBI, and Jason Shirley contributed a single and a double with 4 RBI's to lead the way.
Tuesday's game with Stew-Stras
ended in stunning fashion when the Comets' Kyle Duncan launched a 2-out, 3-run homer in the 7th and the Cougars holding a
1-run lead. Down 6-4 in the bottom half of the inning, the Cougars put two runners on base, but neither would cross the plate
and the Comets held on for their 17th win.
Both teams played extremely
well in all phases of the game, most notably some outstanding plays in the field at crucial times. It was the second time
Stew-Stras has topped the Cougars this spring, but both games were close and provided for some intensely played baseball.
Brian Wodtka pitched well
for 6 2/3 innings, but suffered his second loss of the season against 4 wins. He allowed 5 runs on only 6 hits, walked 3,
and struck out 3.
The Cougars' offense only
showed 6 hits in the book, but they hit the ball hard in nearly every inning. Many were either "right at'em", were deflected
to a fielder, or snared by the stingy Comet defense. Matt Wegener was the only Cougar with more than 1 hit, as he collected
a single and a double with an RBI.
Monday's game against
Mulberry Grove saw the Cougars score 4 times in the first 4 innings against the youthful Aces squad and push across 6
more in the bottom of the 5th to end the game on the mercy rule.
Trey Garrett picked-up
his first varsity win on the mound as he went the distance, allowing 3 hits on 2 walks and 8 strikeouts.
The Cougars were led in
hitting by Jason Shirley's solo HR, single, and 2 RBI's, Jeremy Chasteen's 3-run HR, two singles, and 3 RBI's, and Tyler Burns
with two singles and 1 RBI.
The Cougars return
to action next Monday when they host the Bulldogs of Effingham St. Anthony at 4:30 P.M.
