Bees lose a Thriller at Home

As has been their habit lately, the Bees fell behind early, then rallied, only to fall short in a 7-5 loss to the O'Fallon Hoots on Saturday night at Community Field.

With starting pitcher Jaden Collier for the Hoots and the Bees Aiden Torronez locked up, Burlington broke through in the second inning when Austin Malle opened with a line triple and was chased home on a Dalton Miller ground out. It was Miller's first at bat of the season.

Torronez had not allowed a hit through three innings. He got two quick outs in the top of the fourth but a fielder's choice, a hit batter and a double allowed two runs to score. A fielding error by Bees' shortstop Lucas Krebs kept the inning alive for O'Fallon, who tacked on two more unearned runs.

Burlington drew within 4-2 when Mallee was hit by a pitch. Following walks to Miller and Adam Kudronowicz loaded the bases, Mallee scored on a wild pitch.

With two out in the top of the seventh Ty Mikkelson, who had relieved Torronez in the fourth, hit a batter, then walked two more to fill the bases. Jaylan Patterson came on and walked in two runs, and it was 6-2 Hoots.

Burlington rallied in the eighth. Mallee, who reached base in every plate appearance on the evening, drew a leadoff walk. Miller walked. Kudronowicz was hit by a pitch. Bases juiced. An infield single from Gage Handzel plated Mallee. Johnnie Ankenbruck grounded out to first for an RBI. The Bees sent Juan Fernandez up to pinch hit, and the switch hitter drove in Kudronowicz with a sacrifice fly to right to close out the bees scoring and make it a one run game.

After the Hoots added a run in the top of the ninth, Burlington responded in the bottom half when Krebs walked. Troy Peltz singled to center. Mallee walked. Once again, the Bees had loaded the bases, only to have Miller hit into a rare 1-2-3 double play. When Kudronowicz struck out swinging to end it a Burlington rally was just short again. This time 7-5.

Collier (2-0) got the win. Torronez (0-1) took the loss.

Burlington travels to Quincy on Sunday for a 5 PM game to close out the week.