George Streak Ends as Cougars Take Opener
FARGO, N.D. – The Kane County Cougars (37-38) scored five runs in the eighth inning of Tuesday night’s contest with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (44-32) on their way to an 8-4 win in front of 2,545 fans on hand at Newman Outdoor Field. Dylan Kelly went 3-for-4 with an RBI, and Luke Lind had another stellar outing in relief for Fargo-Moorhead.
Kane County chipped away at F-M starter Bret Helton (5-7) midway through the game, scoring a run in the third inning on an RBI double from Kacy Clemens and another in the fourth on a solo home run off the bat of Jeffrey Baez. The Cougars brought Mitch Reeves around to score to close the book on Helton after Reeves led off the top half of the sixth inning with a double. Helton picked up the loss after finishing his 6.0 innings of work with three runs against, all earned, six strikeouts, and one walk.
The RedHawks answered back in the fourth inning with an RBI single off the bat of Dylan Kelly that brought in Leo Pina. Pina scored another run in the sixth inning when John Silviano knocked a ball through the infield for an RBI. Pina went 1-for 2 with two walks and three runs scored in the game.
With the bases loaded in the seventh inning and the score still 3-2 in favor of the Cougars, Luke Lind (2-1, 5.32 ERA) came into the game and struck out two straight batters to strand the bases loaded and record his fourth straight appearance without giving up a hit and eighth straight outing without giving up a run. Taylor Wright, who made his RedHawks debut in the game, and Tyler Grauer each pitched in the seventh inning as well.
Kane County scored five runs on five hits and a walk against Davis Feldman (3-0, 7.07 ERA) in the eighth inning to break the game open and make it 8-2 in the Cougars’ favor. The RedHawks did respond with two runs of their own in the bottom of the eighth, but it wasn’t enough for the win.
Jordan George’s franchise record on-base streak came to an end on Tuesday night at 55 games. George was one game shy of tying Stephen Douglas’ (2011 – El Paso/Grand Prairie) American Association record for consecutive games reaching base. He went 0-for-4 with an RBI in the game.
The RedHawks and Cougars will continue their three-game series on Wednesday night in Fargo. Fargo-Moorhead’s starter is to be announced and Kane County is scheduled to go with RHP Tyler Viza (5-1, 2.62 ERA). First pitch for Wednesday night’s game is scheduled for 7:02 p.m.
By Chad Ekren, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
