Cougars making late run at playoffs

Kane County Cougars manager Aaron Nieckula did his best impersonation of Jim Mora when a reporter asked about his team making the playoffs with less than two weeks left of the regular season.

"Playoffs? Playoffs?" Nieckula said.

Of course, Nieckula took a joking tone when he imitated the former Indianapolis Colts coach, who went on a rant after a loss. Nieckula then turned serious and answered the question.

"We are not out of this thing by any means," he said. "We've got a legitimate shot at getting a playoff spot. We have every intention of trying to do that."

A month ago, who would have thought the Cougars would be in contention to make the playoffs? They hadn't been over .500 all season and finished the first half 24-45. Toward the end of July, they went on a tear and have been flirting near .500 ever since.

With less than two weeks left in the regular season, the Cougars (26-26) are 2 games behind the Peoria Chiefs for the wild-card spot in the Western Division.

The Beloit Snappers won the first half, and the Clinton Lumber Kings earned the wild card. The Cougars could play either team if they qualify for the playoffs, which begin Sept. 4.

"Maybe a lot of folks counted us out but we as a team, as far as I'm concerned, no one got discouraged, no one got down on themselves," Nieckula said. "Sure, there was a little frustration, but the season was far from over. Those guys made a few adjustments, started executing the fundamentals and we hit a hot streak. The pitching was great, the defense was solid, the baserunning was aggressive and the hitting was timely."

The Cougars know better than to look too far ahead.

"We are really just talking it one game at a time," said first baseman Sean Doolittle. "The playoffs are the ultimate goal. If we make the playoffs, that's awesome, but if not, we know we tried our best to get this far, and that's something to be proud of."

"If we keep playing well, well see how it works out," Greg Dowling said. "We'll control what we can control and let the other guys do what they do."

Since the Cougars have been affiliated with the Oakland A's, they have failed to make the playoffs once -- in 2005. They reached the Midwest League finals last year and lost to the West Michigan Whitecaps in four games.