Bees Survives Late Comeback

Marion, IL - Hawaii-Pacific Sharks have led the Bees bats throughout the season. It was a Shark arm that led the Bees to victory July 25.

Shea Blanchard (Hawaii-Pacific) went for 6.2 innings, letting up five hits and two runs with six strikeouts. It was enough to earn the victory.

The Burlington Bees (15-34, 9-11) survived a late comeback and held on to win 8-6 against the Thrillville Thrillbillies (29-21, 8-15) at Mt. Dew Park.

The game began as a pitcher's duel, with both starters tossing three shutout innings to open the affair. Thrillville's starter, J.Henry Hobson, tossed 4.2 innings with five hits and two earned runs allowed. He received the loss.

Once the offense began, it came fast. Six Bees registered RBI's.

In the fourth, with one out, Bryce Brown (Mt.Mercy University) was hit by a pitch and reached second on a wild pitch.

Skyler Agnew (Hawaii-Pacific) singled to put two aboard. Merrick Mathews (University of Iowa) followed by reaching on an error that allowed one to score. He received an RBI, bringing his total to 17.

Cooper Donlin (Hawaii-Pacific) kept the line moving with a single to load the bases. Christian Dunn (Volunteer State) singled to score one and make it 2-0.

The Thrillbillies scored one in the bottom of the inning and both teams were scoreless in the fifth.

The Bees exploded in the sixth. Brown began the frame with a single and stolen base to get into scoring position. He finished one for four with two runs.

Agnew doubled to score Brown and make it 3-1. It was Agnew's lone RBI on a three for five day. He has 16 RBI's on the season.

Mathews singled and stole second to put two in scoring position. Dunn reached on an error that allowed one to score.

In his second game with the team, Jayden Cummings (South Suburban College) came up big. He smashed a triple to the right side that scored two. It was his first hit and RBI's with the team.

After a pitching change, Jeremy Figueroa (Mt.Mercy University) brought home another by reaching on a fielder's choice. It was the final run, with the scoreboard reading 7-1 after the inning. Burlington also hit through the order.

The Bees scored one more in the eight. Cummings walked and stole second. Cedric Dunnwald (Mt.Mercy University) struck a single into center to score him.

Burlington finished with 11 hits. Thrillville registered four errors in the game.

The team ran into trouble when the Thrillbilllies strung together a late rally. They scored one in the seventh and four in the eighth to get within two.

The Bees arm's held on. After Blanchard, Brady Richards (Sauk Valley CC) threw for 0.2. The righty allowed three hits and four runs.

Jack Duncan (Western Illinois) was called upon next. He went for a shutout 1.2, surrendering two hits to get his team-leading fourth save of the year.

Burlington finishes its four-game road trip July 26, traveling to Normal to take on the Cornbelters (25-24, 11-9) at 6:30 p.m.