Cleburne shuts out Kane County Cougars

Austin Faith pitched a gem for the Cleburne Railroaders, keeping the Kane County Cougars to just three hits and tossing a shutout on just 94 pitches on the way to an 8-0 victory Thursday night at Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva.

The Railroaders picked up right where they left off Wednesday in the first inning against Vin Timpanelli (4-4). Cooper Weiss drilled a ball down the left-field line and slid into second for a double. Then Aaron Altherr smoothed a ball back up the middle to drive in Weiss, picking up his seventh RBI of the series and giving Cleburne the early 1-0 lead.

That lead would grow in the top of the third inning after Jesus Lujano reached on a walk and Weiss was hit by a pitch. With runners at first and second, Shed Long Jr. roped a ball down the right-field line to the wall, clearing the bases on a triple and giving the Railroaders a 3-0 lead.

Altherr then stepped in and smashed his third home run in three games driving in Long and extending the lead to 5-0. Altherr homered in his second at bat in all three games against the Cougars.