Cougars fall to LumberKings
CLINTON, Iowa - The struggles to drive in runs continued for the Kane County Cougars as they fell 4-1 to the Clinton LumberKings (12-16) at Ashford University Field on Thursday night.
The Cougars (11-17), who have scored a total of 3 runs over the past four games, had 7 hits and outhit the LumberKings, who had 4.
In the second inning, the Cougars grabbed their first lead since Monday on a bloop RBI double from Stryker Trahan.
Clinton tied the score in the fourth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Kristian Brito hit a sacrifice fly to right field that knotted the score at 1-1. The game-tying run was the first earned run allowed by Ethan Elias (3-1) through 15⅓ innings to begin 2015. Elias suffered the loss, working 5 innings and allowing 3 runs.
The LumberKings took their first lead by capitalizing on a Cougars error. With runners at first and second, Clinton tried a double steal in the fifth. Attempting to retire the lead runner at third, Trahan's throw ended up in left field and both runners scored. Clinton tacked on another run in the seventh for a 4-1 lead.
Tyler Herb (1-1) tossed a quality start of 6⅓ innings, allowing 1 run. Kody Kerski (3) threw a scoreless ninth for the save.
The series continues today at 6:30 p.m. when the Cougars' Brad Keller (0-3, 2.48 ERA) opposes left-hander Patrick Peterson (4-1, 1.01).