Cougars score first series sweep of second half

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA. --- Securing their first series sweep of the second half, the Kane County Cougars (21-20, 60-48) used a go-ahead 2-RBI hit from Cole Thompson in the top of the 10th inning to defeat the Cedar Rapids Kernels (18-23, 57-54) 2-0 Friday night. In the three-game set, the Cougars outscored the Kernels 17-2.

Cougars' right-hander Riley Smith (0-0), working his first start with the team since May 15th, lasted seven innings on 4 hits, no runs with 3 strikeouts in the no-decision.

Smith was coming off Northwest League pitcher of the week honors with the Hillsboro Hops and used to pitch out of the bullpen for the Cougars earlier this season.

On the other side, Cedar Rapids' starter, righty Clark Beeker (10-3) pitched 8⅔ innings on no runs, giving up just 3 hits with 6 strikeouts and no walks. He ERA now stands at 2.15 in 121.2 innings pitched this season.

With two outs in the ninth, Beeker was removed from the game for eventual losing righty Colton Davis (4-3) after Marcus Wilson singled. With a man on, Davis' errant pickoff throw sailed away allowing Wilson to get to third. But with the go-ahead run 90 feet away, Adam Walton struck out ending the threat.

In the 10th, the Cougars managed to take a 2-0 lead. With two outs and two in scoring position, Thompson whacked a 2-RBI single off Davis for the game's first and only runs. It was just Thompson's fourth hit of the season in over 30 at-bats.

In the ninth, winning lefty Junior Garcia (2-0) started the inning notching one out, also walking a man and right-hander Cal Becker (1) came in to finish it off. With a runner on, Jordan Gore singled, but Stephen Smith tossed out the lead runner at home plate to end the contest.