Cougars Dethrone Diablos in Baseball Champions League Final
MEXICO CITY – The Kane County Cougars claimed the 2026 Baseball Champions League Americas title on Sunday, defeating the host Diablos Rojos del México 7-3 at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú. The victory marks a significant upset for the American Association team, capping off a dominant run through the tournament and denying the Diablos a chance to defend their 2025 championship.
The final was a tightly contested affair through the first five innings, with both teams managing only one run apiece. However, the Cougars broke the game open in the sixth, erupting for six runs to take a commanding lead. The Diablos, playing in front of a passionate home crowd at the newly renovated Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú, were unable to recover.
Cougars’ Sixth-Inning Surge Seals the Victory
The Cougars’ offensive explosion in the sixth began with a leadoff single from Thomas Dillon. Josh Rehwaldt followed with another hit, and Lott Todd drove in a run on a subsequent play aided by an error from Cougars pitcher Justin Courtney. Claudio Finol then cemented the Cougars’ advantage with a two-run home run, silencing the home fans.
The Diablos managed to get on the board with a home run from Bryan González, and added runs on hits from José Marmolejos and Rio Ruiz, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap. The Cougars’ pitching staff effectively shut down the Diablos’ offense after the initial rally.
Dominant Run to the Championship
Kane County County Cougars demonstrated their dominance throughout the Baseball Champions League, defeating all their opponents: Dantos de Managua (Nicaragua), Cocodrilos de Matanzas (Cuba), CTBC Brothers (Chinese Taipei), and the Diablos Rojos del México twice. Their consistent performance throughout the tournament underscored their status as a formidable team.
This is the second edition of the Baseball Champions League Americas, a tournament sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC). The inaugural edition was held in 2023 in Yucatán, serving as a precursor to the 2026 Liga Mexicana de Beisbol season. The tournament’s growth reflects a broader effort to elevate baseball competition across the Americas, and beyond.
Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú, the home of the Diablos Rojos, once again played host to the championship game. The stadium recently celebrated a record-breaking attendance in 2025, surpassing the previous mark set at the now-defunct Parque del Seguro Social in 1967, with 541,786 fans attending games throughout the season. Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú continues to be a focal point for baseball fans in Mexico City.
Looking Ahead
The Diablos Rojos will now turn their attention to the upcoming 2026 Liga Mexicana de Beisbol season. The Cougars, meanwhile, return to the United States with the Baseball Champions League trophy, having proven their mettle against some of the best teams in the Americas. The league has already ratified a third edition of the Baseball Champions League to be held in Mexico City in 2027.
The next challenge for both teams will be preparing for their respective league seasons. The Cougars will aim to carry their momentum into the American Association, while the Diablos will look to rebound from this defeat and reclaim their position as champions of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol.
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