Hoots defeat Bees in rain-shortened game

Burlington, IA - A rapid rain storm shut the game down after six innings, as the Burlington Bees (6-24, 0-0) fell to the O'Fallon Hoots (17-11, 1-0) 4-2 at Community Field July 2.

Starting pitching drove the defensive battle. Noah Harbin (Maryville University) went for five innings, allowing two earned runs and six hits. The righty struck out two.

It was his Maryville teammate in Ryan Hoshaw who started for the Hoots. He also threw for five, letting up two earned and gaining a win.

The Burlington starters have gone four or more innings in six straight, dating back to June 25.

After three runs allowed over the first two, Burlington got on the board in the bottom of the third. Merrick Mathews (University of Iowa) registered his 16th RBI of the season on a single to make it 3-1. The Hawkeye is second on the team in RBI's.

A shutout fourth and a Hoot run in the top of the fifth put the deficit back to three. Jackson Lindquist (Rock Valley College) hit a deep double with two outs in the bottom of the inning to score one.

This score would hold with Michael Schaul (Mt.Mercy University) tossing a shutout sixth with two K's. Rain and lightning came quickly right before the start of the seventh to force the conclusion of the game.

Mathews and Landon Akers (Bellarmine) both had multi-hit days. Akers has a hit in seven straight.

Cooper Donlin (Hawaii-Pacific) put together a one for two day to bring his on-base streak to 18 and get to 30 hits.

Burlington had three errors and left eight on base over the shortened game.

The Bees begin a three-game set with the Clinton Lumberkings (16-11, 1-0) July 2. The first game takes place at Community Field at 6:30 p.m. on Stars, Stripes & Fireworks night.