Allison Gem, Lopez Homers Lead Cougars to Victory
GENEVA, Ill. – The battery for the Kane County Cougars (44-51) did most of the damage Thursday night, as Ben Allison worked his first complete game of his professional career in a 5-1 win over the Gary SouthShore RailCats (38-58) at Northwestern Medicine Field. BJ Lopez caught Allison’s gem and doubled his career home run total.
The Cougars didn’t find the scoreboard until the 4th. After starter Chris Erwin (3-5) walked Mitch Reeves to begin the inning, Lopez launched his second home run of the season over the left field wall for a 2-0 lead. Lopez entered the game with two career home runs.
Allison limited Gary’s offense all night, facing the minimum through the first three innings. He didn’t cough up a hit until Billy Cooke’s one-out single in the 4th. The only time Gary found the scoreboard was in the 7th on a Marshall Skinner RBI groundout.
Allison needed some insurance before the 9th inning and his offense provided it. Mark Karaviotis led off the 8th with a single, then Tony Rosselli lifted his first homer of the year for a 4-1 lead. Lopez tacked on one more run with his second home run of the night, and his fourth of his career.
Allison’s first complete game was complimented with seven strikeouts, which tied his season-high. He also only walked two batters all night.
The Cougars welcome in the Chicago Dogs to finish off the regular season. The four-game series begins Friday night. It’s a Finally Friday at Northwestern Medicine Field, with $2 beers, hot dogs and sodas along with post-game fireworks. For tickets call 630-232-8811 or visit kccougars.com/tickets.
by Joe Brandon, Kane County Cougars
