Kane County Cougars jump out to early lead en route to win

The Kane County Cougars (34-31) built an early five-run lead and withstood a late charge from the Sioux Falls Canaries (36-30) to open the series with a 7-6 victory Friday night at Northwestern Medicine Field.

Kane County wasted no time against Garrett Martin (2-4). Armond Upshaw opened the game with a double before Josh Allen singled to put runners on the corners. Matt Bottcher followed with a two-run double over the center fielder's head, and Nick Dalesandro later added an RBI single to cap a three-run first inning.

The Canaries answered with an unearned run in the second, but the Cougars extended their lead in the third. Todd Lott doubled to lead off the inning before Charles Mack drove him home with an RBI single. Later in the inning, Zane Spinn doubled and Sam Dexter added a sacrifice fly to make it 5-1.