Cougars 5-0 for first time

History was made in Monday's home opener at Elfstrom Stadium.

The Kane County Cougars topped the Burlington Bees 13-5 and improved to 5-0, the best start in franchise history.

"It was nice to come out and have a good game on all facets," Cougars manager Aaron Nieckula said. "The pitching was good, the hitting obviously speaks for itself … it was nice to start on the right foot at home this year."

The players are feeling it as well.

"We have a great team," said right fielder Todd Johnson. "Everybody is focused, and that's what we stress -- not having a season like we did last year. We've been doing pretty good so far."

Johnson is partly responsible for that. The left-handed hitter had 4 hits and was a double away from hitting for the cycle.

He started things off with a 3-run home run in the first inning as the Cougars scored 6 runs on 6 hits.

"I think I had (hitting for the cycle) on my mind a little too much," said Johnson, who has a team-best 9 RBI this season. "All the pitchers in the bullpen were teasing me about it … but hopefully I'll stay hot and keep hitting the rest of the series."

Teammate Greg Dowling also finished with some nice numbers. The first baseman had 4 hits, including a 2-run home run in the first and an RBI single in the sixth.

Dowling and Johnson are expected to be this year's leaders; both were on the Cougars last year.

"Those two guys came in with a very positive attitude (and said), 'Let's go to work, let's do it,' " Nieckula said. "Certainly those guys came out today and had a very good ballgame."

While the offense accounted for 19 hits, three Cougars pitchers combined for 16 strikeouts, with 8 coming from starter Scott Mitchinson. Justin Friend earned the win, and Nick Walters closed the game.

"I thought Mitchinson, at times, struggled with his command but found a rhythm there and made an adjustment and got his strikeouts," Nieckula said. "Obviously, the bullpen came in and did their job."