The Kankakee Valley Kougars dropped a 12-4 decision to Morgan Township despite racking up 10 hits to the Cherokees’ nine on Thursday.
The game took place on Thursday, April 23, at Morgan Township High School.
Morgan Township jumped ahead with two runs in the first and added one more in the second to lead 3-0. Kankakee Valley answered in the top of the third when Rex Wilkins crushed a two-run homer to left field, cutting the deficit to 3-2. The Cherokees responded with a pair of runs in the third and pulled away with four more later in the contest.
Starter Jake Fitzpatrick worked two innings, allowing four runs on three hits with two strikeouts and three walks. Jeremiah Fitzpatrick and Carlos Cruz combined for the final four innings in relief, with Cruz surrendering five runs on four hits. Offensively, Brady Flick, Jake Fitzpatrick and Lucas Parker each collected two hits to pace the Kougars. Declan Mur contributed one hit and a run offensively, but struggled on the mound giving up 3 earned runs while recording just one out while struggling to find the strike zone with 13 strikes on 29 total pitches.
Morgan Township starter Caleb Ksenak earned the win, allowing 10 hits and four runs over six innings while striking out seven. Clint Lemmons led the Cherokees with four RBI and a game-high 10 chances in the field.
