Cougars win 5th straight

The Kane County Cougars have won a season-high five straight games and six in a row at home after they knocked off the Beloit Snappers, 10-6, Monday afternoon in front of 4,742 fans at Elfstrom Stadium.

Regardless of what happens in Tuesday's series finale, the Cougars have won the set. It is their fifth straight winning series to start the season, which ties the franchise record set by last year's club.

The Cougars' offense leads the Midwest League in runs and homers, and three more balls left the ballpark Monday. Petey Paramore hit a solo shot in the second for a 1-0 game, and after Beloit took a 5-1 lead in the fifth, Grant Desme cracked a two-run shot in the bottom of the fifth to cut it to 5-3.

Then the Cougars scored twice in the sixth on RBIs from Steve Kleen and Franklin Hernandez to tie it, 5-5. Beloit answered with a run off Jamie Richmond in the seventh, but the Cougars responded with three in the seventh and later two in the eighth on David Thomas' fourth homer of the season for a 10-6 finish.

Scott Deal picked up the save with two perfect relief innings. Starter Matt Fitts got a no-decision, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits over 42/3 innings. Bruce Pugh (0-1) took the loss for Beloit.

The Cougars (13-4) continue their 10-game homestand Tuesday at noon with the finale of their four-game set against Beloit (5-11). Shawn Haviland (2-0, 2.65) will square off against Bobby Lanigan (1-0, 4.76).