Kane County Cougars fall to Kansas City

After Kane County won 3-2 on Opening Night, Kansas City returned the favor, topping the Cougars 3-2 on Saturday night at Northwestern Medicine Field to even the series.

The bullpen proved to be key for the Monarchs (1-1). After starter Jay Groome was ejected in the bottom of the second inning, relievers Ryan Anderson, Tyler Myrick (1-0), Dylan Heid, Steffon Moore, Jeff Hakanson and Durbin Feltman combined to limit the Cougars (1-1) to just two runs on six hits for the remainder of the ballgame.

Earlier in the night, the Cougars took a lead in the bottom of the third against Anderson. Spencer Rich led off the inning with a single before Zane Spinn grounded into a fielder’s choice. Spinn then stole second and Josh Allen walked to put two runners aboard. New Cougar Matt Botcher then poked a single back up the middle to score Spinn and make it 1-0. Next up, Todd Lott smacked a line-drive single to left field to score Allen and make it 2-0.

Kansas City quickly responded with two runs in the top of the fourth against Cougars starter Brandon Komar. Sahid Valenzuela led off the frame with a single. Following Valenzuela, Grant Richardson belted a two-run homer to left-center field to tie the score at two.