After a recent surge in offensive production, the Cougars looked to continue this trend going into the final dog days of the season. Coming in with 13-6 conference record, the ballclub was feeling confident about facing some more conference foes.
The Cougars would play a makeup game against Calumet College of St. Joseph. The offense wouldn’t have the production it did the previous games.
Starting pitcher Tyler Hebel would pitch another strong game. Hebel went six strong innings, giving up three unearned runs, only walking one, striking out four hitters.
Calumet tried to give the Cougars the game, giving up five errors, but an error by the Cougars would be the costly miscue of the game.
Leading 1-0 in the top of the fifth, the Cougars would allow a couple baserunners on, but Hebel would get the next two batters out. After looking like the Cougars would get out of the inning without any damage, a dropped fly ball would keep the inning alive and Calumet would plate three runs across.
The Cougars bullpen would give up a couple more runs in the top of the eighth. Trailing 5-1 at the bottom of the ninth, the Cougars would score a few more runs, but it wouldn’t be enough, falling 5-3 in the makeup game.
The Cougars would play another makeup game, but this time against Robert Morris. This game wouldn’t be as close as the previous one.
Starter Anthony Chimera wouldn’t have his best game of the year, giving up seven runs in only four innings. The bullpen would also struggle to find any rhythm, giving up seven runs themselves.
Despite the lack of pitching, the Cougars would have some highlights with the bats, as DH Jack Gainer and outfielder Cameron Powell would both hit homers.
Even with the homer’s, the Cougars would still fall big 14-4. The Cougars losing skid would hit three.
The Cougars would come home against University of Saint Francis. The Cougars would hold a ceremony for retired Head Coach Mike Dooley, retiring his #5 jersey.
The Cougars began the game with some purpose. Scoring four runs in the first, two in the second, and two more in the third.
Griffin Bright would tally four hits on the day, Matt Monahan would get three of his own, and Matt Bunetta, Cameron Powell, and Agustin Guerrero would get two apiece.
Despite a seven run Saint Francis sixth inning, the Cougars would hold on to take game one 9-7.
In game two, the Cougars would see one of their better pitching performances all season. The game would take extra innings to decide a victor, but the Cougars didn’t have to empty the bullpen for the marathon game.
Starter Jared Jones pitched an astonishing 11 innings, only giving up four hits, two runs, two walks, and three strikeouts.
Despite the strong pitching performance from the Cougars, Saint Francis would pitch themselves a gem too. Saint Francis would score a run in the top of the 12th, giving them the 2-1 victory.
Saint Francis would continue their dominant pitching performance. Saint Francis starter John Riordan would pitch a complete game shutout, adding six strikeouts.
Despite the Cougars lack of run production, a positive would be Kyle Sabie came out of the bullpen to pitch six shutout innings himself after the Cougars fell behind. The Cougars would drop another ball game and lose the series to Saint Francis.
The Cougars are looking to get back on winning track, losing five of six, with the end of the season drawing near, the ballclub is slumping at the wrong time of the year.
The Cougars would travel to Davenport, Iowa to battle conference rival St.Ambrose in a two game series.
Dominic Pellegrini
Sports Reporter