Eibner’s blast boosts Cougars

Brett Eibner hit a 3-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning Thursday night to spark the Kane County Cougars to a 4-3 victory over the Beloit Snappers in the opener of a six-game homestand at Elfstrom Stadium in Geneva.

The win vaulted the Cougars into sole possession first place, a game ahead of the Snappers after a week of second-half action.

Eibner’s homer came off Michael Tonkin (3-2) with Julio Aparicio and Angel Franco on base. It was Eibner’s fifth homer in seven games and the Cougars’ 13th homer in seven games. The Cougars, who averaged 6 runs and over 11 hits per game during their six-game road trip, had scored 1 run on 3 hits to that point.

Cougars starter Jason Adam gave up 2 runs — 1 earned — in the fifth inning and ended up with a no-decision. He yielded 4 hits, walked one, hit two batters and struck out four in 5 innings.

Allen Caldwell (2-0) worked 3 relief innings and fanned five to earn the win, and Nick Rogers logged a 1-2-3 ninth to get the save in his Cougars debut.

Fielders return home:Manager Tim (T.J.) Johnson#146;s Lake County Fielders play their home opener Sunday against Jose Canseco and the Yuma Scorpions at 6:30 p.m. The Fielders will offer several pregame and postgame activities in honor of their second season. The ceremonial band and color guard from the Great Lakes Naval Base will perform the national anthem and there will be fireworks following the game.Parking areas are located along Green Bay Road and Route 173.