Cougars Slug Late, Drop Date with LumberKings

Geneva, Illinois- The Kane County Cougars (70-54, 35-20) late offensive surge came up one hit short in a 9-7 loss to the Clinton LumberKings (66-58, 33-22) on Sunday afternoon at Northwestern Medicine Field. The Cougars lead in the division is down to two games over Clinton.

In the second inning, Evan Edwards pushed Clinton in front with a two-run double. The Cougars responded with an RBI single from Keshawn Lynch. Marcos Rivera provided some separation with a three-run homer in the fifth to make it 5-1 LumberKings. Kameron Mizner gave Clinton their biggest advantage of the day with a two-run single in the seventh. 
In the bottom of the seventh, the Cougars began their climb. A bases-loaded two-run double by Dominic Fletcher cut the deficit to 7-3. Buddy Kennedy and Blaze Alexander each collected RBIs in the inning to bring the Cougars within two. In the eighth, the LumberKings scored twice with two infield errors mixed in for the Cougars.
In the ninth, a hit batter and a Zac Almond single setup Keshawn Lynch for an RBI double to make it a 9-7 game. With runners at second and third and two outs the Cougars used a pinch hitter, Zack Shannon, who flied out to center to end the game.
Alberto Guerrero (7-6) earned the win with six innings of one-run ball. He struck out five and didn't walk anyone. Michel Gelabert (3-2) gave up five runs in five inning and suffered the loss. Zach Wolf (12) earned the save, despite a wobbly ninth.
The Cougars and LumberKings play game three of the four-game series on Monday night with first pitch scheduled for 6:30. For tickets call 630-282-8811 or online at kccougars.com