Position Players on Mound Lead Bees To Exhibition Victory
Springfield, IL - Outfielder Cedric Dunnwald (Mt.Mercy University) tossed 4.2 innings of one-run ball in relief to earn the win for the Burlington Bees (8-26) in their exhibition victory over the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes (11-22) at Robin Roberts Stadium July 8.
With the game being an exhibition, the contest will not count to either team's record or statistics.
Dunnwald was not the only position player to have big performances on the mound. Cooper Donlin (Hawaii-Pacific) registered the final out of the eighth on a strikeout to keep it a one run game.
Jackson Lindquist (Rock Valley College) picked up the save, getting all three outs in order to close out the ninth inning.
Burlington scored twice on three hits in the first inning. Jeremy Figueroa (Mt.Mercy University), Merrick Mathews (University of Iowa) and Carson Bittner (Phoenix College) all had singles.
Kinnick Pusteoska (Tennessee Tech) registered the game's first RBI on a sacrifice fly and Mathews would score on a wild pitch to make it 2-0.
Springfield countered with two runs of its own in the bottom of the inning, then would tag on one more on a homerun in the three.
Bittner answered in the fourth with a solo shot over the left field fence to tie the game at three. The 'Shoes manufactured a two hit, one run rally in the bottom of the stanza to regain the lead.
The Bees scored two in the seventh to regain the lead started by a leadoff double from Christian Dunn (Volunteer State). A walk from Jackson Rooker (Tennessee Tech) brought up the top of the order where Figueroa walked to load the bases.
Bryce Brown (Mt.Mercy University) grounded into a fielder's choice that allowed him to reach and scored Dunn, which made the scoreboard read 4-4.
After Figuroea stole third, a wild throw on a pickoff attempt from the pitcher allowed him to score.
One more run was tacked on in the ninth started by singles from Dunn and Bittner. An RBI on a double play from Jackson Reid (Chandler Gilbert CC) scored one to make it 6-4.
Shea Blanchard (Hawaii-Pacific) made the start and went two innings with two runs allowed, while leaving three on base.
Matthew Dinae (Howard College) pitched one inning and allowed a hit and a run before Dunnwald took over.
Dunnwald and Lindquist previously pitched in an exhibition contest against the Clinton Lumberkings (20-13) June 9. The pair plus Donlin combined for the final six innings and held Springfield to just a single run
This was Burlington's first exhibition victory of the year, with the team yet to lose to Springfield this season.
Burlington returns to regular season play July 9 at home against the Alton River Dragons (15-16). First pitch will be at 6:30 p.m., with it being Pups & Pints: All HOWLidays Night at Community Field.