Snappers return home, beat Cougars 3-2

A return to Pohlman Field proved to be the missing link for a struggling Snappers squad as they defeated Kane County 3-2 Friday night.

The Snappers had lost five of their six previous games, all on the road, before Friday night's win. Beloit has also lost 11 of its last 13 road games but is 7-6 at home over the same span.

Dylan Covey pitched a complete game for the Snappers and allowed seven hits and two earned runs in the performance. The win is Covey's first victory since a May 17 outing against Clinton. 

The two teams appeared to be heading to extra innings but a piece of timely hitting by Melvin Mercedes proved to be the difference in the ballgame. 

With the game tied 2-2 in the eighth inning, Mercedes sent an RBI-double down the middle to score Boog Powell and take the decisive lead. Powell reached base with a two-out single and then proceeded to steal second base to get into scoring position. 

The Cougars were unable to respond in the top of the ninth inning, as Covey retired the three batters in succession to secure the victory. 

The game began somewhat troubling for Covey, as he allowed the first batter to double and ultimately score two at-bats later. 

Carlos Penalver led off the game with a double and Ben Carhart provided the RBI, as he grounded out to first base to send Penalver across the plate. 

The Snappers and Cougars would trade three scoreless innings before Beloit took its first lead of the game in the fifth inning. 

BJ Boyd blasted an RBI-triple to deep center field to score Luis Baez, who had doubled in the previous at-bat. Phil Pohl gave Beloit a 2-1 advantage, as he sent Boyd home on the next at-bat with an RBI-single down the middle. 

The Cougars would answer in the top of the seventh inning as Yasiel Balaguert hit a solo shot home run to left field. Balaguert was batting .167 in his last ten games and the home run was his fourth of the season. 

The victory marks the fourth consecutive win over league-leading Kane County, as Beloit swept the Cougars in their series beginning on May 12. 

The Snappers and Cougars return to action Saturday night at Pohlman Field at 7 p.m.