Milkmen End Cougars' Three-Peat Bid
Published on September 18, 2026 under American Association (AA)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, IL - The Milwaukee Milkmen (5-2) ended the Kane County Cougars' (3-4) season Friday night with a 7-1 victory in Game 5 of the East Division Championship at Franklin Field. The Milkmen finished the postseason 5-2 and advance to the Miles Wolff Cup Finals, while the Cougars finish 3-4 and see their bid for a third consecutive league championship come to an end.
Kane County struck first in the opening inning when Armond Upshaw reached on a dropped third strike, stole second and scored on a Matt Bottcher single to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead. Milwaukee answered immediately, however, as Alec Olund launched a two-run home run to put the Milkmen ahead. Three consecutive singles from Wendell Marrero, Griffin Doersching and Chase Waddell followed, extending Milwaukee's lead to 3-1.
Angelo Cabral (2-0) settled in after the first inning and dominated the Cougars the rest of his outing. The right-hander retired 12 straight batters at one point and struck out eight over five innings, allowing just one hit, one walk and one earned run. Milwaukee's bullpen then kept Kane County off the scoreboard over the final four innings.
The Milkmen added to their lead in the sixth when Doersching blasted a solo home run before Edrick Felix tripled and scored on a Charlie Marion double, making it 5-1. Milwaukee then went back-to-back with Pérez and Andy Blake homering in the seventh to push the lead to 7-1.
TJ Sikkema (0-1) battled through 52/3 innings, allowing nine hits and four runs while striking out six. Zach Veen and Jordan Martinson combined to finish the game for Kane County, but the Cougars could not generate a late comeback. Kane County managed only two hits after Bottcher's first-inning RBI single.
Cabral earned the win making his postseason record 2-0, while Sikkema took the loss and finished 0-1. The defeat brings the Cougars' championship run to an end after back-to-back Miles Wolff Cup titles, while Milwaukee advances to the league championship series and will face either the Fargo-Morehead RedHawks, or the Kansas City Monarchs.
The Cougars thank their fans for another great season of baseball in the 2026 season. They will be back in 2027 for another season at Northwestern Medicine Field. For more information, visit kccougars.com or call 630-232-8811.
American Association Stories from September 18, 2026
- RedHawks Force WDCS Game 5 with Three Homers, Stellar Pitching - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Milkmen End Cougars' Three-Peat Bid - Kane County Cougars
- RedHawks Drop WDCS Game 3 in Kansas City - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Monarchs Pull out Another Win, Inch Closer to Championship - Kansas City Monarchs
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