Bees Sweep Horseshoes

Logistical issues created problems getting the Springfield versus Burlington double header started Thursday evening, but in the end the Bees weathered the storm, winning both ends 6-4 and 3-1.

Jeremy Fox (1-2) earned his first win of the season, tossing five solid innings, scattering eight hits and allowing three runs, one walk, while striking out four.

Fox gave up a leadoff home run, before settling in.  The Bees scored two of their own in the first on a Jaden Hackbarth one out single to left, a Mason Schwalbach walk, a hit batter in Kooper Schulte, an RBI single by Caleb Wulf and an Ian Wolski walk.

Burlington scored one in the second when Tanner Holland singled, stole second and scored on Schwalbach's drive to left.  It was Schwalbach's 25 RBI of the year.

Springfield tied it with a pair of doubles and a single in the top of the third.

After Fox held the 'Shoes scoreless in the fourth, Burlington's two high school players, Drew Gaskins and Trent Rice worked back to back walks.  They advanced on a passed ball, before Holland singled them both home.  Holland stole second and third. Schwalbach walked.  The Bees plated another run after Connor Laeng reached on an error to score Holland.  That made it 6-3.

The Horseshoes scored one more in the sixth, but Bees relievers Ryan Donley and Jake Jakubowski held them otherwise to secure the game one win.

In game two, Springfield's Zane Danielson and Burlington's Rem Maxwell hooked up in a classic pitcher's duel. Both pitchers went four innings, allowing one run on two hits.

The Bees won it in the bottom of the sixth.  Keanu Spenser drew a one out walk.  Brandon Bickford doubled sending Spenser home.  One out a Cedric Dunnwald single brought in Bickford.

Chase Golden (1-0) got the win with two innings of relief.  He struck out five of the batters he faced.  Brant Smith (0-2) took the loss.

Burlington goes on the road to Quincy Friday night, before returning to Community Field to face Jackson Saturday.