Bees Hang On For The Win

Burlington dropped 5 runs on Quincy in the bottom of the first Wednesday night, then held on to win a slug-fest 10-8 in the season opener for both teams.

On a fireworks display night, the Bees got it going early.  After the Gems failed to score in the top of the first, Connor Laeng (Concordia U – Irvine) led off with a walk off losing pitcher Peyton Clampitt.  Third baseman Jaden Hackbarth (McHenry County College) was hit by a pitch.  McHenry teammate Mason Schwalbach smashed an RBI double to put the Bees up a run.  The bases were loaded after Keanu Spenser (Scottsdale CC) was also hit by a pitch.  Burlington scored again on a Brandon Bickford (Mt. Mercy U) sacrifice fly to center.  Cather Ian Wolski (Hawaii-Pacific) followed with a 3-run home run to put the Bees up 5-0 at the end of one.   

Rem Maxwell (Georgia Southern), who did not throw for his school this season allowed the Gems single runs in the second and third frames.  He went three full innings, walking four and striking out two.

The Bees padded their lead in the third.  Bickford walked.  With one out, Tanner Holland (Central Arizona College) singled to left, putting runners on first and second. Cedric Dunnwald (Mt. Mercy U) walked.  High School graduate Drew Gaskins then collected his first hit and first two RBI for Burlington with a single to left, sending Holland and Bickford home.  That closed the Bees scoring giving them a 10-6 lead.

Cross Jumper scored his third run of the game for Quincy in the top half of the sixth to make it 10-7.  The Gems would threaten again in the eighth, but could not push a run across.  They scored one in the ninth to make it interesting.  Then with runners in scoring position and two out, Holland ran down a deep drive to the right field gap to end the game.

Despite struggling a bit, Jaden Siemer picked up the win with two innings of relief.

Burlington (1-0) hosts the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp (0-1) on Thursday.  Game time at Community Field is 6:30 PM.