CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn gave the following statement today on the passing of Anne Smedinghoff. A young U.S. State Department diplomat from River Forest who like the governor attended Fenwick High School, Anne tragically lost her life in an explosion in Afghanistan while delivering books to children.

"Illinois is proud to call Anne Smedinghoff one of our own.

"Only 25 years old, this brave young woman knew social justice was her calling, and selflessly lost her life while serving others in a war-torn country. She was devoted to protecting America and improving the lives of others.

"We thank God for Anne's purposeful life. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends."

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Catcher Roberto Peña adds three hits and a home run to extend hot streak in opening series

GENEVA, Ill. (APRIL 6, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits shortstop Carlos Correa hit his first Midwest League home run in a 4-for-7, five-RBI day that left him a triple shy of the cycle, and his team rallied for three 11th-inning runs to break a 10-10 tie in a 13-10 victory Saturday afternoon at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.

Correa's two-run home run to left field in the second inning off Jose Arias capped a six-run second inning that gave Quad Cities (3-0) a 7-0 lead. But the Cougars rallied to tie the game, 10-10, in the bottom of the ninth with three runs against Gerardo Sanchez (1-0). After a two-out RBI infield single by catcher Willson Contreras, Cougars right fielder Oliver Zapata hit a game-tying two run triple. But Sanchez stranded Zapata at third by retiring center fielder Trey Martin on a groundout.

The River Bandits' rally in the 11th inning started against right-hander Stephen Perakslis (0-1) when he issued a one-out walk to catcher Roberto Peña. After a 3-for-4 day with three runs scored and his first home run in the seventh inning, Peña came out for pinch runner Jordan Scott. With designated Ryan Dineen at the plate, Scott stole second, and when Dineen lined a single to center field, Scott came into score the go-ahead run. The RBI single capped a 3-for-6, two-run, two-RBI day for Dineen in his first Midwest League game.

With Dineen running from first base in the next at-bat, River Bandits second baseman Carlos Perdomo lined a single - his second hit of the game - to left-center field, and both runners advanced when Dineen forced a throw to third base. Center fielder Teoscar Hernandez - already 3-for-5 in the game - hit a sacrifice fly to center field to bring in Dineen. After Perdomo stole third base, Correa beat out an infield single to drive in Perdomo. Correa later stole second base - the third for the River Bandits in the inning and fourth in the game.

In the bottom of the 11th, right-hander Cameron Lamb, added to the roster before the game, entered as the fifth Quad Cities pitcher. He allowed a leadoff single by designated hitter Rock Shoulders for the 19th and final Cougars hit before getting three outs for the save.

The River Bandits amassed 17 hits but also committed their first three errors of the season. Kane County (0-3) committed one error and out-hit Quad Cities for a second straight game. Shoulders went 4-for-6 with two RBI, while Zapata was 3-for-6 with a two-run home run and five RBI. Contreras and first baseman Dan Vogelbach each had three hits, a double and an RBI. Seven Cougars had multi-hit games.

Before the Cougars' ninth-inning rally, River Bandits left-hander Colton Cain was in line for the win after allowing three earned runs on seven hits and leaving with an 8-3 lead after five innings. Right-hander Mike Hauschild allowed four runs on five hits in 1 1/3 innings, and left-hander Mitchell Lambson followed him with 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief.

Already winners of their first series of the season, the River Bandits will attempt to sweep the Cougars at 1 p.m. Sunday, when left-hander Brian Holmes and right-hander Jordan Jankowski are scheduled to pitch against Kane County left-hander Michael Heesch.

Saturday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Sunday, April 7. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Sunday, April 7.

UP NEXT: The 2013 home opener at Modern Woodmen Park is Thursday, April 11.Tickets for the 2013 season are now on sale! Call 563-324-3000 or visit www.riverbandits.com. It's not too late lock in your season ticket plan for the 2013 season! Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today at 563-324-3000 to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

Partnership to Improve Health of Lake Pátzcuaro and Lake Michigan, Boost Tourism and Protect Habitat

MEXICO CITY - Governor Pat Quinn today joined Honorable Fausto Vallejo Figueroa - the Governor of Michoacán, Mexico - to sign a Sister Lake agreement between Lake Pátzcuaro and Lake Michigan. This unique connection is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to drive Illinois' economy forward and make Illinois one of the most eco-friendly states in the country. The pact pledges cooperation and sharing of best practices to enhance recreational use, boost tourism, improve commercial use and protect natural habitats.

"Today we are sealing the official friendship between our two states and our two lakes, and vowing to cooperate in solving the challenges faced by both waterways," Governor Quinn said. "The Illinois Sister Rivers/Sister Lakes project currently has partners - 'hermanas' - in Brazil, China, Ireland, Israel, Poland and South Korea. We are proud to have a new 'hermana' today in Mexico."

The Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony was witnessed by officials from Mexico and the United States, including Pátzcuaro Mayor Salma Karrum, Erongarícuaro Mayor Everardo Alberto Cortés and State Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez (D-Cicero).

In the Memorandum of Understanding, the governors agreed to cooperate in the following areas of mutual interest: exotic and invasive species, fishing population research, harmful algal blooms, water quality and pollution.

Lake Pátzcuaro is 200 miles west of Mexico City in the state of Michoacán. The Sister Lake agreement is part of the Sister Rivers/Sister Lakes Initiative created by Governor Quinn to enable public officials in diverse nations to share creative solutions to common waterway problems, such as run-off, flooding and invasive species. Governor Quinn has crafted Lake Michigan and Illinois River partnerships with Brazil's Capibaribe River, China's Huangpu River, Ireland's River Lee, Israel's Lake Kinneret, Poland's Vistula River and South Korea's Han River.

Governor Quinn noted that for many Illinoisans of Mexican heritage, Michoacán was the home of their parents or grandparents and holds a special place in their hearts. One of the world's highest lakes, Lake Pátzcuaro is known as the "door to heaven." Michoacán is also the starting point for the migrating Monarch butterflies who travel from central Mexico all the way to Illinois, a symbol of the long-standing relationship between Illinois and Michoacán. The Monarch butterfly is the official state insect of Illinois.

Lake Michigan and Lake Pátzcuaro shaped fond memories for generations of families in Illinois and Michoacán. Today, the lakes face similar challenges. To combat the problem of silt build up, Governor Quinn shared details of an innovative project called "Mud-to-Parks," in which sediment was dredged from the bottom of the waterway, shipped to an abandoned steel mill site and spread out. Within months, grasses and animals began populating the area.

The Sister Lake signing occurred on the third day of Governor Quinn's trade mission to Mexico aimed at promoting tourism, water technology, agribusiness and manufacturing. Governor Quinn said the partnership will help boost tourism and export opportunities between Illinois and Michoacán. Earlier today, the governor laid wreaths at the monuments honoring Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr., in a Mexico City park. The governor also met with the Governor of the State of Mexico, Mayor of Mexico City and U.S. Ambassador to Mexico.