Honeycutt, Escarcega Lead Bees to Walk Off Win

After stranding seven runners on base in the first eight innings, the Burlington Bees scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth, coming back from being down 4-1 to beat the Normal CornBelters 5-4.

Nick Tampa led off the final frame with a single to right.  An error by Normal second baseman Will Henson put runners on first and second.

The CornBelters went to the bullpen.  Spencer Smith relieved Coby Rogers and walked Trey Adams to load the bases. Bees' center fielder Sam Monroe, on a 3-2 count, yanked his second hit of the night through the right side scoring two runs, making it 4-3.  Normal right fielder Wilson Zuck bobbled the ball allowing runners to reach second and third.

Catcher Chase Honeycutt followed with his third hit of the game, a line drive single to the left field gap.  That shot scored Monroe and Adams, and Burlington had come all the way back for the win.

Not lost in the excitement of the walk off win were 4.2 scoreless innings of relief from Bees' Steve Escarcega.  The lanky righty earned the win to run his record to 3-0.  He allowed no runs on five hits, walked none and struck out one.  Smith took the loss for Normal.  He is 0-3.