Bees Drop Pair to 'Billies

The first place, Prairie Land Division, Thrillville Thrillbillies (18-6) continued to roll, sweeping the Burlington Bees (13-13) in a Monday night doubleheader 17-6 and 8-5.  The 'Billlies have now run off six wins in a row.  In that stretch they have averaged 14.3 runs per game.

In game one, Bees pitching did little to control the Southern Illinois onslaught.  Four Burlington pitchers combined to walk 10 batters.  Eight of those free passes scored.  Thrillville banged out 15 hits, and were only struck out once.

For its part, the Bees offense had 10 hits.  Burlington's 1-6 batters were 10 for 20 at the plate.  Trent Rice was 2-3 with a walk.  He scored 3 runs.  Corey Boyette went 2-3 with two run batted in.  Mason Schwalbach extended his league lead in doubles and extra base hit with a pair of two-baggers.  They were his 19^th and 20^th of the season.  He has 29 extra base knocks.  Keanu Spenser, in the cleanup slot, was 2-4 with a three run dinger.  That put him at 9 on the year.  Caleb Wulf was 2-4.

None of it was enough as the Bees fell behind early and could never stop the bleeding.

Jared Townsend (0-2) took the loss.  Kale Cameron (2-1) was the winner in relief.

Game two was more of a contest, but the Thrillbillies scored 8 runs on just five hits.  They drew six walks, and held on for the win after Spenser blasted his 10^th round tripper in the bottom of the seventh.  He is now second in the league, one behind Quincy's Lucas Loos.  Schwalbach had two more hits.

Colten Clarahan (0-2) was the tough luck loser.  Preston Drebes (5-2) notched the win in relief.

The Bees are off Tuesday.  They travel to Clinton Wednesday before finishing the season at home Thursday to Saturday.