Cougars win in 10 innings

MIDLAND, Mich. - Jason Christian drew a bases-loaded walk in the top of the 10th inning, and Mickey Storey wiggled out of a jam in the bottom half as the Kane County Cougars edged the Great Lakes Loons, 5-4, on Thursday afternoon in front of 5,050 at Dow Diamond.

The Cougars won two out of three in the set, and have claimed six of their last eight contests and are back to their season-high of 11 games over .500.

Steve Kleen delivered a sacrifice fly in the third to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead, and that became the only run in the game through the first five innings. Starter Kenny Smalley got a no-decision. He established a new career high with 9 strikeouts and got touched for 2 runs in the sixth on a 3-run homer allowed by Mike Hart.

The Cougars trailed 3-1 after six, but Dusty Coleman belted a two-out 3-run homer of his own to give the Cougars a 4-3 lead. The advantage held until the Loons scratched across a run in the eighth off Trey Barham to force extra innings. Christian came up with the bases loaded and drew a walk from Jon Dutton. The run was charged to Robert Boothe (0-2).

Storey hit the first two batters in the bottom of the 10th but retired the next three to post his fourth save and get Justin Murray (1-0) a win.

The Cougars (29-18) continue their 10-game, 11-day road trip Friday night at 6:30 p.m. when they start a three-game series in Wisconsin against the Beloit Snappers. Brett Hunter (0-0, 6.52) is scheduled to face Brad Tippett (4-1, 2.98).