Dockhounds even series with Kane County Cougars behind strong pitching

Pitching was the name of the game in a low-scoring battle between the Kane County Cougars and Lake Country Dockhounds Wednesday night at Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva. But ultimately, the Dockhounds pitching came out on top 2-1.

The Dockhounds wasted no time striking first in the top of the first inning against Vin Timpanelli. Leadoff man Ray Zuberer III was hit by the second pitch he saw and was awarded first base. He then took off and stole second, but a wild throw into center field got him all the way to third.

Brian O’Keefe, the next man up, lined a ball that drifted into the right-field corner and landed for a double. Zuberer scored easily and gave the Dockhounds an early 1-0 lead. The Cougars were quick to answer off Dominic Cancellieri in the bottom of the second. Armond Upshaw hit a single back up the middle, and then picked up his 35th stolen base of the season. A couple batters later, Nick Dalesandro launched a ball off the right-field wall for a double, scoring Upshaw and tying the game 1-1.

It then became a battle of the pitchers and defense, as the Dockhounds and Cougars played three scoreless innings. That changed in the top of the sixth when Ryan Hernandez singled to right but reached second on an error. Brian Rey was intentionally walked, and Aaron Hill dropped a single into center field to load the bases. A good battle between Timpanelli and Freddy Rojas Jr. ended with Rojas taking a walk, scoring Hernandez and putting Lake Country back in front 2-1.