Kane County Cougars’ loss means series goes to decisive Game 3

Despite a dominant performance from the bullpen and a furious comeback attempt, the Kane County Cougars fell 9-7 to the Lake Country DockHounds on Friday night at Wisconsin Brewing Company Park, evening the East Division Series at one game apiece.

Lake Country (1-1) scored all nine of its runs in the first two innings, highlighted by a Peter Zimmerman grand slam, before Westin Muir and Reese Sharp combined to shut down the DockHounds for the remainder of the night. The duo held Lake Country without a hit over the final 6⅓ innings as Kane County (1-1) retired 20 of the final 21 DockHounds hitters.

Kane County struck first against Lake Country starter Rylan Kaufman. Nick Dalesandro drew a bases-loaded walk to give the Cougars a 1-0 advantage in the top of the first.

The lead did not last long. Lake Country scored four runs in the bottom half aided by three walks and a hit batter from Cougars’ starter Jake Gilbert. However, Kane County immediately responded. Charles Mack launched a two-run homer to pull the Cougars within a run at 4-3.

The best-of-three East Division Series is now tied 1-1, with the Cougars and DockHounds meeting in a decisive Game 3 on Saturday night at Wisconsin Brewing Company Park. The winner will advance to the East Division Championship Series. Left-hander TJ Sikkema is set to go for the Cougars against Lake Country right-hander Sebastian Rodriguez.