Cougars give up 3 in the ninth, lose 6-4 to Lake Country

In the finale of a three-game set, The Lake Country DockHounds scored 3 runs in the top of the ninth inning, leading them to a 6-4 win over the Kane County Cougars.

With the game tied at 3 entering the top of the ninth inning, Logan Nissen (0-2) entered the game for the Cougars (13-15). Dustin Woodcock led off the inning for Lake Country (11-16) with a single before Marcus Chiu was hit by a pitch and Nick Banks also singled to load the bases. Following an Omar Meregildo strikeout, Brian Rey hit a sacrifice fly to center field to put Lake Country ahead 4-3. Then, Tyler Hill hit a bloop single down the right field line to score two runs and make it 6-3.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Cougars mounted a small rally against Jojanse Torres. Down to their last out, Jimmy Kerrigan belted a solo home run down the right field line to make it 6-4. Kerrigan finished the game 3-for-5 and just a triple shy of the cycle. However, after Kerrigan's home run, Torres struck out Jonah Davis to end the ballgame.

Prior to the late drama, Kane County led for most of the ballgame. Facing starter Austin Faith, the Cougars put up 2 runs in the bottom of the second. Kerrigan led off the frame with a double before a Jonah Davis Walk put runners at first and second. Two batters later, Cesar Trejo hit a hard shot to short that was misplayed, allowing Kerrigan to score. Later in the inning, JD Osborne drew a bases loaded walk to make it 2-0.

After Jack Fox cruised through three scoreless innings, Lake Country got on the board in the fourth. Dustin Woodcock drew a two out walk, and then came into score after Marcus Chiu singled followed by a Josh Allen throwing error. Fox was in control for most of the game and finished with his fifth straight quality start.

However, Lake Country chased Fox from the game in the top of the seventh. Banks and Meregildo hit back-to-back singles with two outs and the Cougars turned to Daniel Bies. The first hitter to face Bies, Brian Rey, promptly doubled off the wall to score both runners and put Lake Country ahead 3-2.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Cougars did tie the ballgame on a clutch single by Pete Kozma. But, Lake Country's offense proved to be too much in the ninth.

The Cougars will have an off day tomorrow before beginning a three-game road set against the Chicago Dogs. The team will return home to host the Winnipeg Goldeyes next weekend.