Kane County Cougars fall to Lake Country again at home

In another strong pitching performance, the Lake Country Dockhounds topped the Kane County Cougars 6-4 on Thursday night at Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva.

Like Wednesday night, the Dockhounds jumped in front early, this time against Jake Stevenson. After retiring the first two batters, Stevenson walked Brian O’Keefe. Ryan Hernandez belted a double into the left-center field gap, scoring O’Keefe and opening a 1-0 lead for Lake Country.

The Cougars were quick to answer in the bottom of the inning against Kelvan Pilot. Zane Spinn roped a ball to the warning track in left-center and flew around the bases before sliding in for a triple. Todd Lott then drilled a ball past the third baseman, scoring Spinn and tying the game 1-1.

But Stevenson lost the strike zone in the top of the second, walking Demetrius Sims and Chevez Young on back-to-back at bats. They both advanced into scoring position after a wild pitch, and then Ray Zuberer III launched a ball into right field that one-hopped over the wall, scoring Sims and Young, while giving the Dockhounds a 3-1 lead.

They grew that lead in the top of the third after Aaron Hill drew a walk and stole second. Hayden Dunhurst then roped a ball down the right-field line, bringing in Hill and giving Lake Country the 4-1 lead. In the top of the fourth inning, Chavez Young drove a ball over the right-field wall for hist first home run of the season, and pushing the Dockhound lead to 5-1.