Quad Cities evens series in Kane County with a 4-3, 15-inning win in four hours, 56 minutes

GENEVA, Ill. (July 23, 2015) - In their longest game in five seasons, the Quad Cities River Bandits lost a 3-1, eighth-inning lead, but they kept the Kane County Cougars scoreless with eight runners left on base in extra innings, and left fielder Drew Ferguson hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the top of the 15^th inning of a 4-3 win lasting four hours, 56 minutes at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark Wednesday night.

The River Bandits (16-11 second half, 61-34 overall) played their longest game - both in innings and time - since July 25, 2010, when they won an 8-5, 16-inning game in Dayton in five hours, 21 minutes. Quad Cities improved to 8-6 in 14 extra-inning games - already their most in a single season since 2010. Kane County (22-5, 58-37) left 17 runners on base and was 2-for-20 with runners in scoring position.

The 15th-inning rally began with designated hitter Jason Martin singling to right field with one out against Ryan Gebhardt (0-1), a Cougars infielder used as the team's sixth pitcher of the game and 11th in the first two games of the series. With shortstop Alex Bregman batting, a passed ball by catcher Michael Perez allowed Martin to gain two bases and reach third, before Gebhardt intentionally walked Bregman. Gebhardt then hit center fielder Ramon Laureano with a pitch to load the bases, and Ferguson flied to right field to score Martin.

Pitching on back-to-back days for the third time this season, River Bandits right-hander Ryan Thompson (4-2) got the last out of the 14th inning and had a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the 15th. Cougars third baseman Joe Munoz hit a one-out single, center fielder Victor Reyes walked, and right fielder Chuck Taylor singled to left field to load the bases. For the fourth time, Kane County had the winning run in scoring position, and for the second time it loaded the bases in extra innings. But Cougars shortstop Ildemaro Vargas grounded to Bregman, who began his third double play of the game by throwing to second baseman Luis Reynoso, who threw to first base for the final out.

The Cougars had begun the scoring Wednesday with a second-inning run against River Bandits right-hander Christian Powell. All-Star first baseman Marty Herum hit a leadoff double to left-center field and scored on catcher Michael Perez's one-out, ground-rule double down the first-base line for a 1-0 Cougars lead. That was the only run against Powell, who scattered eight hits in a season-high 6 1/3 innings.

Quad Cities took its first lead in the third inning, with a rally started by third baseman Kristian Trompiz on his first of a team-best three hits in the game. His leadoff single preceded a sacrifice by Reynoso, who reached on right-hander Brad Keller's throwing error to first base. With two runners in scoring position, Martin hit a game-tying groundout, and Bregman hit a go-ahead single to center field for a 2-1 lead. In the sixth inning, Laureano and Ferguson hit consecutive doubles for a 3-1 lead. Keller was charged with two earned runs in six innings.

Powell had three strikeouts and one walk, and he lasted until consecutive seventh-inning, one-out singles by second baseman Henry Castillo and Munoz. Left-hander Michael Freeman entered to get Reyes to ground to Bregman for an inning-ending double play. In the eighth inning, however, Taylor singled to right field, went to third base on Vargas' double and scored on Herum's ground ball to make it 3-2. Freeman was also charged with the tying run - although unearned - after allowing Castillo's leadoff single in the ninth inning. Right-hander Angel Heredia allowed Munoz's sacrifice but made an errant throw to first base, sending Castillo to third base. Reyes grounded out to score Castillo, and Taylor walked, but Heredia got the next two outs to send the game to extra innings. Quad Cities loaded the bases with one out in the 10^th inning but did not score off Cougars right-hander Jency Solis. Kane County had the winning run at third base with one out and loaded the bases with two outs in the 11th inning, but Heredia tallied the last two of his four strikeouts in three scoreless innings on his 23rd birthday. Right-hander Riley Ferrell went a career-high 2 2/3 innings before two 14th-inning walks prompted Thompson's entry.

The River Bandits seek to remain unbeaten in road series this season when they play a rubber match in Kane County at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. River Bandits right-hander Justin Ferrell (2-2) is scheduled to face Cougars right-hander Ethan Elias (9-3).

Positions available in Iowa City, Davenport and Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C - Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that his office is now accepting applications from Iowa college students to participate in a Congressional internship program. Positions are available in Loebsack's Iowa City, Davenport or Washington, D.C. offices. The Congressional internship program is open to undergraduate students and recent graduates, regardless of major. Fall internships typically begin around Labor Day and run through the end of the year, though specific dates can be set for each individual.

"As a former educator, I have seen the benefits that internships can provide by giving students a firsthand look into the government process," said Loebsack. "I encourage all hardworking, motivated students and recent graduates to apply."

Interns based in Washington, D.C. will focus on learning about the legislative process and the federal government by working closely with the legislative, communications and constituent services staff members. Interns based in Iowa City or Davenport will focus on providing constituent services and interacting with members of the community.  Interested candidates should email their cover letter, resume, a short writing sample and a letter of recommendation to  LoebsackInternship@mail.house..