Cougars' outfielder Brett Roneberg celebrates his game winning homer Wednesday.

The Daily Herald
Thursday 9th September 1999

Late heroics keep Cougars alive

Two outs, two strikes, bottom of the ninth score tied. Every American boy's dream situation. Some Australians picture it, too.

Kane County's Brett Roneberg, a 20-year-old native of Cairns, Australia, bashed a 1-2 curve over the rightfield wall to beat Quad City 5-4 Wednesday night at Elfstrom Stadium in Geneva.

The win evened the best-of-three first-round Midwest League playoff series at 1-1, with the clincher at 6.30p.m. today at Elfstrom Stadium.

It was Roneberg's ninth home run of the season, and capped his 3-for-4, 3-RBI evening.

"It's a must win game," Roneberg said of tonight's contest. "We'll have to go out there and play great baseball. Everybody's got to step up in their roles, and I'm sure everybody will."

Right-hander Terence Byron - the Florida Marlins' second-round pick this past June - will start tonight for the Cougars, while Quad City sends out lefty Brent Hoard (12-7, 3.43 ERA).
Byron was 3-0 with a 1.24 ERA in 6 starts for short-season Class "A" Utica this summer.