Billo, Cougars Take Playoff Opener

Greg Billo and Nick Rogers combined on a three-hit shutout Wednesday night to lead the over the Burlington Bees, 4-0, at in the opener of the 2011 Midwest League Playoffs. The Cougars lead the series, 1 game to 0, as the best-of-three series now shifts to Iowa. 

Billo (1-0) tossed seven dominant innings to pick up the win, as he locked up with Blake Hassebrock (0-1) in a pitcher's duel. Billo gave up three hits, walked one and fanned seven. He saw the minimum five times and went 1-2-3 four times.

The game was scoreless through five innings when the Cougars managed an unearned run off Hassebrock. Jovan Pickett walked, took second on a passed ball, went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Angel Franco and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Geulin Beltre.  

Then in the seventh scored another unearned run, this time off Pedro Vidal. After Brian Fletcher led off with a single, Cheslor Cuthbert reached on a fielder's choice while Fletcher was safe at second and took third on an error. Orlando Calixte followed with an RBI double to make it 3-0.

In the eighth Angel Franco scampered home on a passed ball, and Fletcher poked a sacrifice fly to bring home Beltre. The 4-0 score became the final after Rogers tossed a scoreless ninth and earned the save. 

The Cougars (1-0) and Bees (0-1) play Game 2 of the best-of-three opening round series in Burlington on Thursday night at 6:30 CT. Yordano Ventura (4-6, 4.27) is scheduled to face Josh Bowman (8-6, 3.55).

The game will be broadcast on WBIG 1280-AM and online via kccougars.com with pregame coverage starting at 6:15 p.m. Game 3, if necessary, also would be at Burlington on Friday.

Player of the Game:

Brian Fletcher (offense); Greg Billo (pitching)

Player Of The Game Standings

This article is courtesy of the Kane County Cougars.