Cougars top Dogs

Timely offense and solid pitching led the way for the Kane County Cougars in a 5-3 win over the Chicago Dogs 5-3 on Sunday night at Northwestern Medicine Field.

After three scoreless innings, the Dogs (50-48) grabbed the lead in the top of the fourth against Vin Timpanelli (7-8). With one out, Jacob Teter singled into center field before TJ Hopkins walked to put two runners aboard. Two batters later, Dusty Stroup knocked home Teter with an RBI single to make it 1-0. Timpanelli posted a strong outing, allowing just the one run on four hits with three strikeouts against two walks.

The Cougars (48-51) responded in the bottom of the fourth. Armond Upshaw led off the with a single off Zach Davidson (4-2) and stole both second and third base. Claudio Finol cracked a double into the right-field corner to score Upshaw and tie the game. Josh Allen then drew a walk before Robby Martin Jr. laid down a sacrifice bunt to put runners at second and third. Nick Dalesandro then hit a sacrifice fly to center field to put the Cougars up 2-1.

Following Dalesandro’s sac fly, Andy Armstrong reached on an error that scored Josh Allen to extend the lead to 3-1. One inning later, the Cougars added on. Trendon Craig singled before reaching second on an Alex McGarry groundout. Upshaw singled home Craig to stretch the lead to 4-1. The Cougars added one more run in the sixth on a safety squeeze bunt by Andy Armstrong to go up 5-1.

The Dogs rallied in the seventh against Westin Muir. Chicago plated two runs on a double steal and RBI fielder’s choice by Reggie Pruitt Jr.

Holding a 5-3 lead, the Cougars’ bullpen clamped down. Zach Veen relieved Muir in the seventh and pitched 1.2 scoreless frames. Logan Nissen pitched the ninth to earn the save.