Large crowd sees Kane County Cougars knock off Cleburne

A four-run bottom of the third inning proved to be the difference on Saturday night, as the Kane County Cougars topped the Cleburne Railroaders 5-3 in front of 7,702 fans at Northwestern Medicine Field.

After two scoreless innings, the Cougars (54-43) posted a big inning against Ben Hampton (2-5) in the bottom of the third. Singles from Cooper Weiss, Armond Upshaw, and Matt Bottcher loaded the bases. Then Jairus Richards singled off the glove of Hampton to make it 1-0. Next up Nick Dalesandro lined a single into left-center to score Upshaw and Bottcher to push the lead to three runs. Later in the inning, Richards scored on a Hampton wild pitch that made it 4-0.

Cleburne (47-51) responded against Cougars starter T.J. Sikkema (3-1) in the top of the fifth. With one out Cody Thomas doubled home Aaron Takacs to get the Railroaders on the scoreboard. The fifth proved to be the final inning for Sikkema, who earned the win by allowing just one run across five innings of work with three strikeouts against one walk. Though he gave up eight hits, Sikkema consistently minimized the damage from Cleburne.

After Cleburne’s run, the Cougars quickly struck back in the bottom of the fifth. With one out Josh Allen was hit by a pitch. Then, Bottcher smacked a double just over center fielder Merik Carter to score Allen and push the lead to 5-1. Bottcher finished the night 3-for-4 with the double and RBI.

Following Sunday’s game the Cougars will have a regular-season finale on Labor Day afternoon before the playoffs begin on Wednesday against an opponent to be determined.