Cougars can’t break through against RailCats

The Kane County Cougars were unable to solve Gary SouthShore starter Matt Reitz on Tuesday night, falling 3-1 to the RailCats in the opener of a three-game series at Northwestern Medicine Field.

After Gary scored a run in the first inning, the Cougars (17-15) threatened in both the first and third innings. Armond Upshaw reached third base in the opening frame after a single and stolen base, while a third-inning rally put runners at second and third with one out. Kane County, however, was unable to bring a run across.

Reese Sharp (3-3) settled in after the opening inning and kept the RailCats quiet until the fifth inning when Gary added two runs.

Meanwhile, Reitz (3-1) was in complete control. After allowing four hits through the first three innings, the right-hander retired nine consecutive Cougars at one point and finished with seven shutout innings, allowing just five hits while issuing no walks and striking out four.

Kane County finally broke through in the eighth. Upshaw worked a two-out walk and stole second before Matt Bottcher lined an RBI single into right field to cut the deficit to 3-1.