GENEVA, Ill. – A season-high 21 hits was plenty for the Kane County Cougars (34-38) to beat the Houston Apollos (10-61) by a score of 15-3 Friday night at Northwestern Medicine Field.

Every Cougar in the starting lineup either scored or drove in a run.  11 of the 12 Cougar hitters all reached base at least once.

The Cougars jumped out to 4-0 lead in the first three innings against Houston’s starter Matt Cronin (2-7). Gavin LaValley started the scoring and his notable day with a solo shot in the 1^st.  It was LaValley’s first home run in over a month.

After Tyler Viza (5-1) coughed up two unearned runs in the fourth, the Cougars battle back with even more offense.  After Kacy Clemens connected on a sacrifice fly, Mitch Reeves blasted a two-run homer to left field.  Then Jeffrey Baez went back-to-back with a solo blast to left-center.  The Cougars added a three-spot in the 6^th and 7^th innings as LaValley, Jhon Nunez and Nick Lovullo all added runs.

The Cougars scored in every inning they batted in except for the 4^th.

LaValley and Baez each finished with 5-for-5 performances.  Viza worked 6.1 innings of two-run baseball, but both runs were unearned.  Eddie Medina finished the game with 2.1 innings, only allowing one run.

The Cougars can clinch a winning series and homestand with a win Saturday.  Josh Tols (3-5, 4.16) takes the mound for the Cougars.  First pitch from Northwestern Medicine Field is at 6:30 p.m. For tickets call 620-232-8811 or visit kccougars.com.

Boxscore

By Joe Brand, Kane County Cougars