Cougars get comeback victory

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich.-- The Kane County Cougars (16-9) erased two deficits to defeat the West Michigan Whitecaps (17-11) by a score of 7-5 Friday evening at Fifth Third Ballpark. The Cougars earned their first win in a week after being the victim of multiple rain outs over the past few days.

The Cougars' first power surge came in the third inning. Loading the bases on 3 walks, the Cougars first scored on a groundball from Ramon Hernandez back to the pitcher Anthony Castro. The West Michigan starter had an opportunity for a double play starting with a force out at home, but threw the ball to the backstop allowing the Cougars to tie the game 2-2. Kyle Smith then came up to the plate and launched his fourth home run of the year over the left field wall for a 4-2 Cougars lead.

West Michigan retaliated in the bottom of the fifth scoring 3 runs. Mack Lemieux's last batter was a 1-out double to Danny Woodrow. Jeferson Mejia (1-0) took the mound after and walked Cam Gibson before an RBI-single to Jake Robson, a run-scoring groundout to Blaise Salter and a wild pitch to bring home Woodrow.

Mejia went from being on the hook for the loss to being in line for the win as the Cougar battled back with 3 runs in the sixth off West Michigan's reliever Joe Navilhon (1-2). After Jose Herrera walked with one out, the Cougars put together a 2-out rally. Manny Jefferson knocked an infield single and Zach Nehrir put together a nine-pitch walk to load the bases. Billy Endris then sent a bases-clearing double into the right field corner for a 7-5 advantage.

Endris' knock was the last scoring play as Ryan Burr and Tyler Mark each earned a hold before Tommy Eveld picked up his fifth save.