Cougars strike out 15 times in loss to Wisconsin

APPLETON, Wis. - The Kane County Cougars (21-20) struck out 15 times against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (20-22) in a 7-3 loss from Fox Cities Stadium in Wisconsin Saturday night.

The Timber Rattlers offense jumped out with three runs in the opening frame off Cougar starter Bo Takahashi (1-1). Wisconsin collected four hits in the opening frame and would have had a fourth run if it weren't for Zach Nehrir throwing out Jake Gatewood at the plate from center field.

Trailing 4-0 in the fourth inning, Joe Munoz gave some life to the Cougar offense as he sailed a two-run home run over the left-center field wall to cut the Cougars' deficit in half. It was the second round tripper for Munoz in as many games, but it was the only big mistake by Marcos Diplan (5-1) and the Wisconsin pitching staff Saturday.

Diplan worked the first five innings and wasn't charged for any earned runs as the Munoz homer came after a two-out error. Freddy Peralta tossed the final four frames only allowing one run on a wild pitch and striking out eight Cougars. Peralta earned his second save of the season.

The Cougars' bullpen allowed no runs for the second night in a row as Mason McCullough worked two and one-third scoreless frames before a perfect eighth inning tossed by Keegan Long. Jason Morozowski also nabbed an acrobatic diving catch in right field to end the sixth.