Bounce proves unlucky for Cougars

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich.-- The Kane County Cougars (16-10) were the victim of a tough bounce and solid West Michigan Whitecaps (18-11) pitching as they fell 1-0 Saturday night at Fifth Third Ballpark. It was the first time the Cougars had been shutout this season.

The lone run of the ballgame came in the bottom of the fourth inning. Curtis Taylor (0-1) allowed back-to-back singles with one out, but then struck out Cole Bauml for the second out. Josh Lester then hit a soft bouncer on the right side of the infield that kicked up at the last second over Cougar first baseman Kyle Smith and rolled into right field to allow Jake Robson to score the first run of the game.

The scoring play came after the Cougars missed out on a chance to score after putting runners at second and third base with nobody out.

Austin Sodders (1-0) made it difficult for the offense all night as he shut out the Cougars for six innings with only four hits allowed, one walk and collected nine strikeouts. The Cougars stranded a total of six runners on the bases Saturday.

Despite the loss, Taylor still put together a decent outing in his 2017 debut. He was charged with the lone run, but struck out five Whitecaps in four innings of work. The Cougar bullpen kept the game within reach all night long as Sam Lewis and Jake Winston both escaped big jams. In the sixth, Lewis loaded the bases with one out, but struck out Danny Pinero and Drew Longley to keep the Cougars down by just one run. After Lewis left the game in the seventh inning with runners at the corners and no outs, Winston took over and induced an infield pop fly and two groundouts to continue the score at 1-0.

Bryan Garcia earned his sixth save of the year with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.