Kane County Cougars' offense stays hot in 8-5 win

The Kane County Cougars' offense never let up as they defeated the Dayton Dragons 8-5 for the second straight time Sunday at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark. The Cougars (29-28) recorded at least 10 hits for the fifth straight game and got above .500 for the second time this season.

Despite Dayton grabbing the game's first lead, the Cougars took the lead in the bottom of the first and never looked back. Marty Herum continued his hot hitting against the Dragons' pitching staff with a 2-run single for a 2-1 lead. Herum punched in another run two innings, scoring Cody Regis.

The Cougars' offense picked up again in the fifth inning with a 3-run effort. Four straight singles propelled the Cougars to a 5-1 lead and put runners at the corners with one out. A double steal was called and both Ryan Gebhardt and Colin Bray made it safely to second and home plate.

Dayton drew closer with a 4-run sixth inning against Touki Toussaint (1-2). After retiring 11 straight Dragons, Toussaint gave up a single and an RBI double. Two batters later, Gavin LaValley kept the inning alive with a run-scoring single. Paul Kronenfeld belted his third home run of the year to cut the Cougars' lead down 6-5.

In the eighth inning, the Cougars got insurance on Chuck Taylor's RBI fielder's choice and a run-scoring double by Ildemaro Vargas.

Zac Curtis worked a perfect ninth for his league-leading 12th save. Toussaint picked up his first win of the season with 6 innings of 7-hit, 5-run baseball. Seth Varner (5-4) was the losing pitcher.

The Cougars and Dragons wrap up their series Monday. Ethan Elias (5-2, 2.08) takes the mound for the Cougars against Dayton's Tyler Mahle (5-3, 2.63). First pitch from Fifth third Bank Ballpark is at 6:30 p.m.