by Michael Dixon, Lincoln Saltdogs

GENEVA, Illinois – Rayder Ascanio had three hits – including the go-ahead RBI single – and the ‘Dogs rallied to beat the Kane County Cougars, 7-3, in the series opener at Northwestern Medicine Field on Tuesday night.

BOX SCORE

The ‘Dogs (41-47) rallied from an early 3-0 deficit to win their second consecutive game.

Kane Country (45-43) opened the scoring on Jimmy Kerrigan’s sacrifice fly in the 1^st inning. The Cougars added two more on an RBI single from Cornelius Randolph and a sacrifice fly from Dylan Busby in the 3^rd inning.

Lincoln tied the game with three in the 6^th. Hunter Clanin hit a two-run homer before Rayder Ascanio eventually tied the game on a bunt single.

The ‘Dogs scored four runs off Ryan Richardson in the 8^th inning. Ascanio’s RBI single gave Lincoln a 4-3 lead before Jason Rogers added two more with a run-scoring hit. Josh Altmann – back in the lineup after missing two games – made it 7-3 with a sacrifice fly.

Luke Roskam went 3-for-4 with three doubles and a walk. He’s the second Saltdog with three doubles in one game, matching Ryan Long’s three-double game on Aug. 12 at Kansas City.

The ‘Dogs used six relievers after Zach Keenan allowed three runs in four-plus innings. R.J. Freure, Nick Laio, David Zoz, Jonathan Cheshire, Carter Hope and Steffon Moore each combined to toss five scoreless innings and help Lincoln hold on to stay one game back of the Sioux City Explorers for the final playoff spot in the West Division.

The ‘Dogs and Cougars continue their three-game series on Wednesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and pregame coverage will begin after the conclusion of Hail Varsity Radio on ESPN Lincoln 101.5 FM/1480 AM.

The Saltdogs are playing their 21^st season in Lincoln! Visit saltdogs.com and follow us @saltdogsball on all social media for information regarding tickets and promotions all season long.