Cougars' late rally falls short

Despite a game-tying RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings, the Kane County Cougars (9-5) suffered their first loss to the Quad Cities River Bandits (5-11) by a score of 4-3 at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva Thursday night.

Suffering his first loss of the season, Cameron Gann (0-1), factored in the decision for the Cougars. The winner for Quad Cities was Andrew Thome (1-0). Striking first, the River Bandits scored the game's first run on an RBI base hit for Dexture McCall against Cougars starter, Justin Donatella.

With a quick response, the Cougars plated runs in the third and fourth frames. The first was scored by Josh Anderson on a wild pitch after Anderson had advanced to third on a double by Matt McPhearson.

In the fourth inning, Joe Munoz drove a triple off the wall in left-center, later scoring on a dropped third strike, and the Cougars took a 2-1 lead in the middle of the game. Zeros were hung on the scoreboard until the 7th inning when Quad Cities took their second lead. Kyle Tucker bashed an RBI base hit and the line drive was misfielded by McPhearson in left field allowing another run to pass through.

Up 3-2 in the 9th inning, the Cougars were down to their final out when Robelys Reyes hit a game-tying RBI single to center to knot up the game.

In extra innings, the River Bandits did not hesitate scoring a run in the 10th as the Cougars went down 1-2-3 in the home half of the inning. In their fifth try, the River Bandits gain their first win over the Cougars on the season.

The series continues on Friday. Quad Cities will send Kevin McCanna (0-1, 3.12) to the mound against the Cougars' Junior Garcia (1-1, 6.75). First pitch from Fifth Third Bank Ballpark is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.