Junior Jose Martinez bats in the 5th inning where he launched a triple to
the left-center gap.

The Lakeville South Cougars were both good and bad on Wednesday night, according to head coach Mark Zeise.

"We played our worst ball and we played perhaps our best ball. Fortunately we played our best at the end."

The Cougars came from behind to score seven runs in the 7th inning to down Kennedy by a score of 11-10. Junior Nick Daniels drove in the game winning run on an 0-2 pitch with a bases loaded drive down the right field line.

The inning began with pinch hitter Marlon Amaro stroking a first pitch single through shortstop. Nick Daniels then flew out to shortstop for the first out. Junior catcher Alex Messick then came to the plate and ripped a two-run homer over the left-field wall for the first Cougar varsity home run. Eric Watts came up and kept the rally going by knocking a single into shallow left-center. Pinch hitter Blake Nicols then stroked a hard grounder to the 2nd baseman and beat out the throw for a hit. Forrest Brown walked to load the bases. Eddie Boelter also walked, driving in a run, before Joey Novak dropped a ball in front of the Kennedy center fielder to drive in two more runs and tie the game at ten each. The Cougars batted through the line-up in the 7th inning when Marlon Amaro came to bat for the second time in the inning and drew a walk to load the bases again, before Daniels stroked the game winning hit to right.

Daniels also started the game and pitched four innings before being relieved by sophomore Blake Nicols who pitched three innings and picked up the win.

The Cougars scored 11 runs on 13 hits, but also had five errors in the game. Kennedy also had 13 hits in the game.

"Amaro pinch hitting, he was a key that got things going. We seemed to catch fire after that," said coach Zeise.

The Cougars racked up seven runs on six hits in the bottom of the 7th inning. Kennedy could only muster one out in the bottom of the 7th against the Cougar hitting rally.

"I told our players after the game, there's a fine line between winning and losing in the Lake Conference. I think we pretty much defined that tonight," said coach Zeise.

"You just have to just keep playing hard and remember 'It ain't over until it's over.'"

Leading Cougar hitters for the game were...

Alex Messick.... 3 for 4 (single, double and 2-run HR) 2 RBIs, plus scored twice.

Joe Novak.... 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs plus scored a run.

Eric Watts.... 2 for 4 with 1 RBI plus scored a run.

Mick Wald.... 1 for 2 with 2 RBIs.

Blake Nicols.... 1 for 2 plus scored a run.

Joe Hopkins.... 1 for 2.

Nick Daniels.... 1 for 4 with game winning hit and RBI.

Jose Martinez.... 2 for 5 with 1 RBI plus scored twice.

Marlon Amaro.... 1 for 1 with a walk plus scored a run.

Donnie Sullivan walked and scored in the 1st. Eddie Boelter walked in an RBI in the 7th and also scored a run.

The Cougars are now 2 - 5 on the season and travel next to Burnsville for a 7:00 night game on Thursday (4/27).

Happy Cougar players shake hands with Kennedy after 11-10 comeback thriller at Cougar Field.

Coach Zeise talks to the Cougar players afterwards about both the good and the bad in a 5-error comeback win.