Sikkema earns first win as Cougars strike out 11 in 3-2 victory over Dogs

The Kane County Cougars (31-30) opened a 10-game homestand on a winning note Monday night, defeating the Chicago Dogs (20-41) 3-2 at Northwestern Medicine Field behind a strong pitching performance and timely hitting.

Making just his second start with Kane County, TJ Sikkema (1-0) earned his first victory as a Cougar, allowing two runs over five innings while striking out five. The left-hander settled in after surrendering solo home runs to Giovanni DiGiacomo in the third and Tyreque Reed in the fourth, retiring six of his final seven batters.

The Cougars struck first in the second inning against Connor Lockwood (1-1). Charles Mack legged out a triple after a misplay in right field, and Sam Dexter followed with a sacrifice fly to center to give Kane County a 1-0 lead.

After the Dogs took a 2-1 advantage on Reed's solo homer, the Cougars answered immediately. Alex McGarry doubled with one out before leaving the game with an injury, and pinch-runner Spencer Rich scored on Nick Dalesandro's RBI single to tie the game at 2-2.

Kane County took the lead for good in the fifth. Armond Upshaw and Josh Allen opened the inning with back-to-back singles before Todd Lott lined a two-out RBI single down the left-field line, scoring Upshaw to make it 3-2.