Helt dominates, Bees cruise to victory

BURLINGTON, IA — Bobby Helt ( Lake Erie College), in his first start of the season, delivered the longest outing of any Burlington pitcher this season, going 6.2 innings and allowed only two runs.

His efforts, combined with a four-run first inning, propelled the Burlington Bees (4-9) to a 4-2 victory over the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp (10-5), the top team in the Northwest Division, June 14 at Community Field.

Helt had accumulated the second-most innings of any Bee pitcher entering the game, throwing exclusively out of relief prior to the start.

The big righty started more than ten games this season at Lake Erie College and gave Burlington a crucial performance in his first go as a Bees starter. Helt, who is in his third season with the team, allowed no walks and stranding multiple runners on base

Burlington's only runs came in the bottom of the first, where they entered trailing 1-0. An opening walk from Jace Figueroa (Southeast Community College) and a single from Landon Akers (Bellarmine) in the first two batters of the game began the rally.

Merrick Mathews (University of Iowa) was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score the first Burlington run. Akers followed, scoring on a wild pitch. Donlin capped it off with a single that scored Mathews and Reese Moore (University of Iowa).

Donlin is the first Bee to get to double digit RBI's, having 10 on the season, along with being one of two Bees with multiple hits on the game. Nick Meyer (Mt.Mercy University) was the other, going two for three.

Only one run was scored by either team after the first inning, coming on an Illinois Valley RBI single in the top of the seventh.

Burlington played a perfect game in the field, registering zero errors, the first time the team has achieved the feat in a victory this season. The infield also registered two double-plays.

The only other Bee to throw was Jack Duncan (Western Illinois), tossing 2.1 innings of perfect ball to pick up the save. Helt is the only other Burlington pitcher with a save this season.

This two-pronged pitching effort came against an Illinois Valley team that entered the game with the league lead in runs, hits, at-bats and RBI's. Neither pitcher walked a batter.

Burlington donned Specialty Jerseys as a part of Strike Out Cancer for Des Moines County Relay for Life Day. The multi-colored jerseys were auctioned off to raise money for the Des Moines County Relay for Life. Along with this, it was the second Fireworks Night of the season at Community Field, both of which the Bees have won.

Burlington moves to 4-3 at home as the team looks to continue the momentum in another divisional game tomorrow, taking on the Clinton Lumberkings (8-4) at 6:30 June 14 in Celebration at Community Field.