DAVENPORT, Iowa (April 3, 2014) - After scoring twice in the top of the first inning, the Kane County Cougars never lost the lead, as their pitchers combined to shut out the Quad Cities River Bandits over the last six innings in an 8-4 final in front of 1,821 at Modern Woodmen Park Thursday night.

Cougars center fielder Jake Hannemann lined the first pitch of the season from right-hander Andrew Thurman (0-1) back to the mound, and it deflected off Thurman for a leadoff infield single. After a one-out walk by designated hitter Ben Carhart, Cougars right fielder Yasiel Balaguert began his four-hit Midwest League debut with an RBI double to right field. An infield groundout by first baseman Jacob Rogers brought home Carhart for a 2-0 lead.

Quad Cities (0-1) started quickly in the bottom of the first against right-hander Paul Blackburn. Center fielder James Ramsay and right fielder Brett Phillips had back-to-back singles, but only Ramsay scored in an inning stifled by three groundouts.

With a 2-1 lead, Kane County (1-0) rallied again in the second inning against Thurman. Left fielder Trey Martin drew a leadoff walk, stole second base and advanced to third on the first of three throwing errors by River Bandits catcher Jobduan Morales. Cougars shortstop Carlos Penalver knocked in Martin with a single and Hannemann followed with another single. Second baseman Daniel Lockhart's sacrifice fly and Carhart's single brought home two runs for a 5-1 lead.

On a night when the River Bandits left a runner on base in every inning - and one in scoring position each of the first eight - their best rally came in the bottom of the third inning. Phillips hit a leadoff single and stole second base. With two outs, designated hitter Chase McDonald drove an RBI double to the right-center field gap. After left fielder Jon Kemmer singled, Austin "Catfish" Elkins laced a sharp ground ball down the first-base line to score McDonald and Kemmer to cut the lead to 5-4.

After Elkins' triple however, the Cougars pitching staff evaded trouble the rest of the night. Blackburn lasted four innings, allowing nine hits and four earned runs. Left-hander Nathan Dorris (1-0) and right-hander James Pugliese each tossed two scoreless innings, and right-hander Jose Arias worked around a walk in the ninth inning to finish the Cougars' second Opening Day win the last three seasons at Modern Woodmen Park. The road team has won the two teams' Opening Day meetings three straight years.

The Cougars gained breathing room with single runs in the fourth, seventh and ninth innings against the River Bandits. Thurman allowed six runs - five earned - on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts in a four-inning start. Right-hander Zach Morton worked a scoreless fifth inning, before left-hander Chris Lee and right-hander Tyler Brunnemann each had two-inning, one-run appearances.

Each team had 11 hits Thursday, but Quad Cities went 4-for-18 with runners in scoring position.

DES MOINES, IA (04/03/2014)(readMedia)-- Tickets for the much-anticipated Iowa State Fair Grandstand shows will go on sale Saturday, April 12, at 10 a.m. through all Ticketmaster outlets. The 2014 line-up is presented by U.S. Cellular.

This year's line-up includes an array of performers including multi-platinum rock veterans Foreigner and Styx, alternative hard rock artists Chevelle and Halestorm and seven-time Grammy award-winning country trio Lady Antebellum.

Print at home discounted admission tickets are on sale now at www.iowastatefair.org. Fairgoers can purchase gate admission tickets online and print their own tickets at no extra charge. Beginning April 12, Fairgoers can also purchase Fair Play Packs, Midway tickets, Zipline passes and 11-day punch cards online and have them mailed to them directly for a nominal fee.

Tickets for all concert and track events will go on sale Saturday, April 12, at 10 a.m. through all Ticketmaster outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800-745-3000. All concert events are reserved seating; track events are general admission. Beginning July 7, the Fair's Ticket Office will be open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturday for walk-up orders only (assuming tickets remain; no mail, phone or fax orders). Convenience charges will apply to all tickets. Grandstand tickets do not include Fair admission. Gate admission must be purchased separately.

A complete listing of event dates, times and ticket prices follows:

2014 Iowa State Fair Grandstand Line-up

presented by U.S. Cellular

Thursday, August 7

Newsboys with special guest Matthew West, 8 p.m., $30

Friday, August 8

HAPPY TOGETHER TOUR 2014 starring THE TURTLES featuring FLO & EDDIE, CHUCK NEGRON formerly of Three Dog Night, Gary U.S. Bonds, MITCH RYDER & THE DETROIT WHEELS, GARY LEWIS & THE PLAYBOYS, 8 p.m., $25

Saturday, August 9

Goo Goo Dolls and Daughtry with special guest Plain White T's, 8 p.m. $39

Sunday, August 10

Winged Sprint Cars, 10:30 a.m. Hot Laps, 11 a.m. Races, $15 adults, $5 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under

Sunday, August 10

The Stars of A&E's Duck Dynasty A Conversation with the Robertsons: Willie, Korie and Si, 8 p.m., $32

Monday, August 11

Deery Brothers Summer Series for Late Models, IMCA Sport Mods, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks and Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks, 5:30 p.m. Hot Laps, 6 p.m. Races, $17 adults, $5 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under

Tuesday, August 12

Florida Georgia Line with special guest Colt Ford, 8 p.m., $40

Wednesday, August 13

Grand Outlaw National Tractor and Truck Pull, 2 p.m., $20 Adults, $10 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under. Sponsored by Iowa Farmer Today

Thursday, August 14

Jake Owen's Days of Gold Tour starring Jake Owen & Eli Young Band with special guest The Cadillac Three, 7 p.m., $40

Friday, August 15

Chevelle and Halestorm with special guest to be announced, 8 p.m., $35

Saturday, August 16

Demolition Derby: Modified Weld, Stock Weld and Compact Weld; Figure Eight: Front Wheel Drive and Rear Wheel Drive, 11:30 a.m., $15 adults, $5 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under

Saturday, August 16

Lady Antebellum with special guests Billy Currington and Kelsey K, 8 p.m., $49

Sunday, August 17

Foreigner and Styx with special guest to be announced, 8 p.m., $39

"Nothing Compares" to the 2014 Iowa State Fair, August 7-17. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines. Discounted gate admission tickets are on sale now through our convenient print at home ticket option at www.iowastatefair.org. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

* * *

Top four affiliates begin regular season play this Thursday

HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros have set their preliminary 2014 minor league rosters for four of their affiliates, Triple A Oklahoma City, Double A Corpus Christi, Class A Advanced Lancaster and Class A Quad Cities. The announcement was made by Astros Director of Player Development Quinton McCracken.

These rosters are subject to change and will not be officially finalized until the minor league Opening Day. Rosters do not include Disabled List players.

Oklahoma City:

PITCHERS

Jake Buchanan

Jose Cisnero

Paul Clemens

Bobby Doran

Darin Downs*

Mike Foltynewicz

Chia-Jen Lo

David Martinez

Collin McHugh

Rudy Owens*

Jason Stoffel

Nick Tropeano

Pat Urckfitz*

Josh Zeid

CATCHERS

Ryan McCurdy

Carlos Perez

Max Stassi

INFIELDERS

Japhet Amador

Erik Castro*

Jonathan Meyer

Gregorio Petit

Jon Singleton*

Ruben Sosa#

Ronald Torreyes

OUTFIELDERS

Adron Chambers

Domingo Santana

George Springer

Austin Wates

* - denotes left-hander

# - denotes switch-hitter

Corpus Christi:

PITCHERS

Travis Ballew

Colton Cain*

Luis Cruz*

Jorge De Leon

T.J. Geith*

Matt Heidenreich

Jordan Jankowski

Andrew Robinson

Brady Rodgers

David Rollins*

Ross Seaton

Tommy Shirley*

Alex Sogard*

Aaron West

CATCHERS

Rene Garcia

Tyler Heineman#

INFIELDERS

M.P. Cokinos

Matt Duffy

Nolan Fontana*

Enrique Hernandez

Jio Mier

Joe Sclafani#

OUTFIELDERS 

Andrew Aplin*

Delino DeShields

Chris Epps*

Leo Heras*

Preston Tucker*

Lancaster:

PITCHERS

Mark Appel

Jamaine Cotton

Chris Devenski

Michael Dimock

Josh Hader*

Mike Hauschild

Mitchell Lambson*

Lance McCullers

Juan Minaya

Daniel Minor

J.D. Osborne*

Tyson Perez

Kyle Smith

Vincent Velasquez

Kyle Westwood

CATCHERS

Roberto Pena

Jake Rodriguez

INFIELDERS

Carlos Correa

Tony Kemp*

Brandon Meredith

Carlos Perdomo

Rio Ruiz*

OUTFIELDERS

Justin Gominsky

Dan Gulbransen*

Teoscar Hernandez

Jordan Scott*

Danry Vasquez*

Quad Cities:

PITCHERS

Tyler Brunnemann

Patrick Christensen

Chris Cotton*

Kent Emanuel*

Michael Feliz

Evan Grills*

Jandel Gustave

Adrian Houser

Chris Lee*

Albert Minnis*

Zach Morton

Gonzalo Sanudo

Andrew Thurman

Andrew Walter

CATCHERS

Brett Booth

Brian Holberton*

Jobduan Morales#

INFIELDERS

Austin Elkins#

Conrad Gregor*

Jack Mayfield

Chase McDonald

Chan Moon*

Tyler White

OUTFIELDERS

Jon Kemmer*

Tanner Mathis*

Brett Phillips*

James Ramsay*

Climbing the Charts:

Over the past two seasons, the combined record of the Astros minor league system has been the best in baseball (915-754, .548)...Houston set a franchise record when their top six minor league affiliates all qualified for the playoffs in 2013, and two clubs ended up winning championships (Class A Quad Cities, Class A Short Season Tri-City)...the Astros became the first organization to have six domestic affiliates qualify for the postseason since the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2003...along with the Royals and Mariners, the Astros were one of three organizations to have multiple championship teams in 2013.

The RANKINGS:

This Spring, the Astros minor league system was rated as the best in baseball by both ESPN.com and The Sporting News...Baseball America, who ranked the Astros system as the worst in baseball in both 2009 and 2010, tabbed Houston's system as the fifth-best in the Majors...seven Houston prospects made the 2014 MLB.com Top 100 Prospects list, which ranked tied for second among all 30 clubs...of the top 100 prospect lists put out by ESPN.com, Baseball Prospectus, Baseball America and MLB.com, the following Astros prospects made at least one of those lists: SS Carlos Correa, RHP Mark Appel, CF George Springer, 1B Jon Singleton, RHP Mike Foltynewicz, RHP Lance McCullers, OF Delino DeShields, RHP Vincent Velasquez.

The accolades:

There were 25 Astros prospects who were named All-Stars in their respective leagues across all eight levels of the minors in 2013...CF George Springer hit 37 home runs and stole 45 bases, becoming the first minor leaguer to reach the 30-30 plateau since Oakland's Grant Desme in 2009...Springer was named Minor League Baseball's 2013 Offensive Player of the Year and was named the Double A Texas League Player of the Year...at 18 years old, SS Carlos Correa was the second-youngest player in the Class A Midwest League but still led the league in OPS (.872) while finishing second in OBP (.405) and third in batting average (.320)...Correa led all Midwest League shortstops in fielding percentage.

the TALENT INFUSION:

Since Jeff Luhnow was appointed Astros General Manager in November of 2011, the Astros have acquired talent through the draft, trades and international signings...when looking at Baseball America's top 30 Astros prospects, 17 were acquired during Luhnow's current tenure with the club:

Through the Draft: SS Carlos Correa (#1), RHP Mark Appel (#3), RHP Lance McCullers (#5), 3B Rio Ruiz (#11), RHP Andrew Thurman (#15), OF Andrew Aplin (#19), SS Nolan Fontana (#20), LHP Kent Emanuel (#23), OF Brett Phillips (#30)

Via Trade: RHP Asher Wojciechowski (#10), C Max Stassi (#12), LHP Josh Hader (#14), LHP Kevin Chapman (#17), RHP Kyle Smith (#22), RHP Gonzalo Sanudo (#26), OF Danry Vasquez (#29)

International Signings: OF Leo Heras (#25)

The SYSTEM BY THE NUMBERS:

Last year, the Astros minor league system led all 30 organizations in OPS (.731) and on-base percentage (.342) while finishing second in walks (3208), homers (611) and runs (4101)...on the pitching side, Houston's minor league system ranked second among all 30 organizations in walks per 9.0 innings (3.1) and strikeout to walk ratio (2.53)...led by Domingo Santana (25 HR), George Springer (19 HR) and Max Stassi (17 HR), Double A Corpus Christi finished third in the minors with 158 homers...Class A Advanced Lancaster led all of the minors in runs, walks, OBP and OPS in 2013.

2014 breakdown - MLB.com astros top 20 prospects by team:

- Triple A Oklahoma City (6): Jon Singleton (#2), George Springer (#3), Mike Foltynewicz (#6), Domingo Santana (#9), Nick Tropeano (#17), Max Stassi (#18)

- Double A Corpus Christi (2): Delino DeShields (#7), Nolan Fontana (#18)

- Class A Advanced Lancaster (9): Carlos Correa (#1), Mark Appel (#2), Lance McCullers (#5), Vincent Velasquez (#9), Rio Ruiz (#11), Teoscar Hernandez (#13), Josh Hader (#15), Kyle Smith (#19), Danry Vasquez (#20)

-Class A Quad Cities (2): Michael Feliz (#10), Andrew Thurman (#16)

MOLINE, Ill. (March 31, 2014) - The Quad City Mallards have set their roster for the Central Hockey League President's Cup playoffs, the Mallards announced today.

In addition to the nineteen players on the roster proper, the Mallards have added rookie forward Joe Perry to fill one of two slots available for amateur players joining CHL clubs for the playoffs.  Goaltender Ty Rimmer and forwards Jim McKenzie and Mike Hellyer have returned to the roster for the playoffs while forward Gabriel Levesque has been placed on 14-day injured reserve and forward Jordan Lane and goaltender Eric Levine have been left off the postseason roster.

Rimmer returned to the Mallards today after being recalled by the American Hockey League's Oklahoma City Barons last Monday.  McKenzie has scored three goals and added five assists in 26 games since joining the AHL's Iowa Wild in January after starting the season with the Mallards.  Hellyer missed the Mallards' final 22 regular season games after being placed on injured reserve February 16 due to an upper body injury.

Levesque suffered a lower body injury yesterday during the Mallards' regular season-ending 5-3 win over the Missouri Mavericks.  Levine was signed last week when Rimmer was called up by Oklahoma City, and served as the Mallards' backup netminder in four games.  Lane picked up one assist and collected 88 penalty minutes in 56 regular season games.

Perry, 24, joins the Mallards after earlier this month leading Division III powerhouse St. Norbert College to its third national title in his four years as a Green Knight.  The 6' 2", 215-pound Nanaimo, British Columbia, native was named to the America Hockey Coaches Association Division III All-American first team after finishing the season tied for first in the nation with 24 goals and totaling 37 points in 32 games.  Perry earned NCAA tournament Most Valuable Player honors after scoring five goals and adding two assists in three tournament games.  He scored 50 times and recorded 106 points in 115 career collegiate games.   

In full, the active playoff roster is comprised of forwards Hellyer, McKenzie, Matt Boyd, Justin Fox, Thomas Frazee, Jeff Lee, Jordan Mayer, Gergo Nagy, Vladimir Nikiforov and Mike Stinziani; defensemen Benjamin Dieude-Fauvel, Matt Duffy, Darren McMillan, Mike Monfredo, Nicholas Rioux and Tyler Yaworski; forward/defenseman Nick Grasso; goaltenders Rimmer and Thomas Heemskerk; and amateur forward Perry.  

The Mallards head to Rapid City Friday and Saturday for games one and two of their best-of-seven opening round series against the Rush.  The Mallards return home for game three on Wednesday, April 9 at 7:05 p.m. and game four on Friday, April 11 at 7:05 p.m.  If a fifth game is necessary, it will be played on Saturday night April 12 at 7:05 p.m. at the iWireless Center.  Should a sixth game be required, the series will shift back to Rapid City on Tuesday, April 15.  If the series goes to a seventh game, the Rush would host the deciding contest on Wednesday, April 16.

Tickets for Mallards home playoff games can be purchased in person at the iWireless Center box office, online atticketmaster.com, at Ticketmaster outlets or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period. 

About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards are in the midst of their seventeenth season their fourth in the Central Hockey League.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League in 2009-10.  The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record.  In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched.  The iWireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club.  For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.net.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quadcitymallards.

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