Snappers top Cougars 3-2 in pitching duel

BELOIT, Wisconsin.- Beloit's Dylan Covey bedeviled the Kane County Cougars on the mound as he pitched a complete game in the Snappers' 3-2 win at Pohlman Field.

The Cougars (45-23) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first when Carlos Penalver doubled to start the game. Daniel Lockhart grounded out, advancing Penalver to third. Ben Carhart followed up with a ground out that scored the Cougar shortstop for a 1-0 lead.

Pitching dominated the entire game as Paul Blackburn gave the Cougars five strong innings, followed by three solid innings of relief from Josh Davis.

The Snappers (28-40) finally got to Blackburn in the fifth. Luis Baez connected on a one-out double and B.J. Boyd drove Baez in with a triple. Phil Pohl gave the Snappers their first lead with an RBI to put Beloit on top 2-1.

Yasiel Balaguert sent the first pitch he saw over the left field wall for his fourth home run of the season to tie the game at two in the seventh inning.

With two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, Boog Powell kept the inning alive with a single. After stealing second base, Melvin Mercedes connected on a base hit to drive home Powell and put the Snappers ahead for good.