Cougars shut down by Snappers

The Kane County Cougars (50-51, 15-17) lost, 2-1, to the Beloit Snappers (52-48, 29-11) on Thursday night at Northwestern Medicine Field.

In the second inning, Cougar starter Mack Lemieux walked the first three batters of the frame. The next batter, Jack Meggs lofted a fly ball to left field to tie the score, 1-0. Two innings later, Meggs strolled to the plate with no one on. He cracked a home run in to the right field bleachers, making it 2-0 Snappers.

Mitchell Jordan (4-2) didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning when Ryan Grotjohn singled with two outs. Jordan had faced the minimum until a catcher's interference call with two outs in the fourth. Jordan completed his night after six innings, allowing no runs on two hits. Jesus Zambrano tossed two scoreless innings for Beloit.

In the ninth, Nick Highberger took over for the Snappers on the mound. Ernie De La Trinidad doubled to start the frame. Tim Susnara walked to put the tying run aboard. The next batter, Luis Silverio grounded out to advance runners to second and third. The next batter, Ryan Grotjohn grounded out to second, bringing in the Cougars' first run. Ryan Dobson ended the game with a fly out to right, stranding the potential tying run at third.

Highberger earned the save for the Snappers, his third of the year.

Lemieux (2-8) took the loss for the Cougars. The lefty lasted four innings, allowing two runs on two hits with five strikeouts and four walks. Cole Bartlett twirled five shutout, one-hit innings out of the Cougar bullpen.

The Cougars and Snappers close out the three-game series on Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.