Lincoln Smacks Five Home Runs and Earns Series Victory Over Cougars

(Photo courtesy of Kane County Cougars)

Geneva, Illinois- It all clicked.  Pitching, hitting, and defense.  With that combination, the Lincoln Saltdogs defeated the Kane County Cougars, 10-5, Wednesday night at Northwestern Medicine Field.  Lincoln hit five home runs, two by Nick Shumpert, while Cam Dayton threw seven innings, retiring the last eighteen batters he faced.  The five homers are the most Lincoln has hit in a game this season, and is second all-time, in a game, in the Saltdogs franchise.  Also, by clinching the midweek set, the Saltdogs took a series at Kane County for the first time since September of 2023.  In addition, Lincoln claimed its third straight series over an opponent, which the Saltdogs have not done since July of 2023.

Lincoln (35-41) scored ten runs, off fifteen hits, committed one error, and left six runners on base.  Kane County (41-33) had five runs, with eight hits, one error, and left eight runners aboard.  Wednesday night’s game lasted two hours and fifty minutes and was played in front of 2,072 fans.

The Saltdogs jumped on the board in the top of the first inning.  Facing Kane County starter Vin Timpanelli, Nick Shumpert hit a one-out solo home run to left field.  His sixth home run of the season made it 1-0.

Kane County responded in the bottom of the first.  Facing Lincoln starter Cam Dayton, Armond Upshaw singled, then took second on a wild pitch.  Two batters later, Josh Allen doubled off the left-centerfield wall, which scored Upshaw, to tie the game at 1-1.

Lincoln grabbed the lead back in the top of the second.  Cary Arbolida led off the inning with a solo home run to left field.  His eleventh long-ball this year, made it a 2-1 Lincoln lead.

The Saltdogs big inning came in the top of the sixth.  With one out, Nick Shumpert singled, then stole second.  Then, Jairo Pomares hit a two-run home run to right-centerfield.  His team-leading thirteenth home run made it 4-1.  Connor Bagnieski doubled.  Then, Cary Arbolida singled to left, and Bagnieski attempted to score, but was thrown out by Jairus Richards, in left field, for the second out.  Then, Jake Hjelle hit an opposite field two-run home run, to right.  His eleventh homer of the season put Lincoln in front 6-1.

In the top of the eighth, facing Kane County reliever Art Warren, Connor Bagnieski led off with a single, then took second on a wild pitch.  Two batters later, Jake Hjelle singled.  Then, a passed ball scored Bagnieski, to make it 7-1.

The offense continued to click in the top of the ninth for Lincoln.  Facing reliever Jake Gozzo, Jacob Morrow led off with a single.  Then, Cam Phelts drew a walk.  The next batter, Nick Shumpert hit his second home run of the night, a three-run blast to left field, to make it a 10-1 Lincoln lead.

Kane County made some noise in the bottom of the ninth.  Facing Saltdogs reliever Tyler Stasiowski, Charles Mack and Nick Dalesandro hit back-to-back singles.  Then, Sam Dexter drew a walk.  After a strikeout of Cooper Weiss and a flyout by George Bilecki, Armond Upshaw singled, scoring Mack and Dexter.  A throwing error by Jake Morrow allowed Dexter to score, and Upshaw took third.  Then, Jairus Richards singled, scoring Upshaw, to make it 10-5.  Lincoln went to the bullpen and brought Jack Hill in, to pitch.  Josh Allen drew a walk.  However, Hill got Todd Lott to fly out to left field, to end the game.

Lincoln starting pitcher Cam Dayton (3-1) pitched 7.0 innings, giving up one run, off four hits, struck out five and walked one.  Harold Cortijo pitched 1.0 inning, struck out one and walked one.  Tyler Stasiowski pitched 0.2 innings, giving up four runs, three earned, off four hits, struck out one and walked one.  Jack Hill threw 0.1 inning, striking out one and walking one.

Cougars’ starter Vin Timpanelli (3-6) took the loss, pitching 6.0 innings, giving up six runs, off eight hits, struck out four and surrendered four home runs.  Casey Crosby pitched 1.0 inning, giving up two hits and struck out one.  Art Warren worked 1.0 inning, yielding one run, off two hits and struck out three.  Jake Gozzo pitched 0.2 innings, yielding three runs off three hits, walked one and gave up one home run.  Zach Veen threw 0.1 inning, inducing a ground ball out.

Offensively for the Saltdogs, Nick Shumpert was 3-for-5 with a solo home run, a three-run home run, and four RBIs.  Jairo Pomares went 1-for-5 with a two-run homer.  Connor Bagnieski was 3-for-5.  Cary Arbolida was 2-for-5 with a solo home run.  Jake Hjelle went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer.  Jacob Morrow was 2-for-4.

For Kane County, Armond Upshaw was 2-for-4 with two RBIs.  Jairus Richards went 1-for-5 with a run batted in.  Josh Allen was 1-for-3 with one RBI.

With the Lincoln victory and a Sioux City loss, the Saltdogs and Explorers are now tied for fifth place in the AAPB West Division standings, eight games back of first place Kansas City.  With a Sioux Falls loss on Wednesday night, the Saltdogs are now four games back of playoff qualification with 24 games remaining.  Lincoln currently holds the longest active win streak in the Association, at four games.

In the first two games of the series, Lincoln outfielder Cam Phelts has not recorded a stolen base, and currently remains at 41 on the season which is tied for the franchise single-season record, which he can break with his next steal.  Nick Shumpert stole a base Wednesday night and currently puts him at 37 on the season.

The final game of the series is Thursday night.  RHP Cael Chatham (3-3, 6.66 ERA) will pitch for Lincoln.  LHP T.J. Sikkema (1-0, 1.89 ERA) will be on the mound for Kane County.  The first pitch at Northwestern Medicine Field will be 6:30 p.m.  The game will be broadcast on KFOR 101.5 FM/1240AM and on: www.aabaseball.tv.

The next home game for the Saltdogs will be Friday, August 14^th, when they host the Kane County Cougars at Haymarket Park, at 7:05 p.m.  That game will be FREE T-SHIRT FRIDAY! sponsored by Abante Marketing.  It is also Military Appreciation Night sponsored by Budweiser & Folds of Honor.  Plus, there will be Post-Game Fireworks.  For tickets, merchandise and more information, visit: www.saltdogs.com.