Cougars rally past Lake Country

In a well-pitched ballgame, the Kane County Cougars rallied for a 3-1 victory over the Lake Country DockHounds on Sunday afternoon. The win clinched a third straight series victory for the first place Cougars (24-16).

The DockHounds (17-23) took an early lead against Cougars’ starter AJ Jones. In the top of the first, Demetrius Sims belted a solo homer to give Lake Country a 1-0 edge.

Following the home run, Jones settled into a rhythm. The right-hander allowed just one run on two hits with four strikeouts against two walks in five innings of work.

While Jones provided a strong outing, Lake Country starter Brett Conine (2-2) shut down the Cougars through the first seven innings. The right-hander allowed just two hits through the first seven and remained in the ballgame for the eighth.

The Cougars finally got the bats going in the bottom of the eighth. Pinch-hitter Simon Reid started the frame with a double. Armond Upshaw was hit by a pitch to put two runners aboard. Josh Allen came through with a base hit through the left side to score Reid and tie the game.

Following Allen’s single, Cornelius Randolph was intentionally walked to load the bases. After the walk, reliever Matt Mullenbach entered. Mullenbach induced a fielder’s choice off the bat of Todd Lott, with a throw to the plate notching the first out of the inning. Right after Lott, Jonah Davis came through with a single to score Allen and Randolph to make it 3-1.

In the ninth, Tyler Beardsley locked down his first save of the season, with a 1-2-3 frame. Kane County benefited from great work out of the bullpen by Jordan Martinson and Michael Brewer (2-2). Martison worked two-and-a-third scoreless frames. Brewer earned the win by picking up the final two outs of the eighth inning.