Cougars' Hankins hits walk-off homer

Jordan Hankins saw just one pitch Monday - and he sent it sailing over the wall in right-center field for a walk-off homer as the Kane County Cougars beat the Peoria Chiefs 5-4 in 11 innings in Midwest League action at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva.

The first-place Cougars (34-17) guaranteed a series victory over the Chiefs (27-23) and will go for the sweep in a Tuesday matinee at 11 a.m. that will complete a six-game homestand.

In the top of the 11th inning, Peoria's Gerwuins Velazco led off with a double and eventually scored on Richy Pedroza's sacrifice fly to give the Chiefs a 4-3 lead.

In the bottom of the 11th, Cael Brockmeyer doubled and scored the tying run on David Bote's sacrifice fly, setting the stage for Hankins' heroics and the Cougars' fourth walk-off win this season.

The Cougars had tied the game in the ninth. Trailing by 2 runs, Jacob Rogers singled home Ben Carhart to cut the Chiefs' lead to 3-2. Daniel Lockhart singled to load the bases and Bote was hit by a pitch to tie the game.

Earlier Rogers had hit a solo homer, his fourth of the year.

Jose Arias (1-1) picked up the win despite allowing the go-ahead run in the 11th.

In Tuesday's game, the Cougars will send Duane Underwood (1-1, 2.43) against Peoria's Blake McKnight (1-4, 6.68).