Burlington Loses Northwest Division Championship in Extra Innings

Clinton, IA - Owen Nowak (McHenry) drove a ball through the middle-infield with two outs in the top of the ninth. Down 2-0, Jace Figuereo (SCC) and Kooper Schulte (Iowa) came across to score to tie the game. 

Despite the dramatics, the Burlington Bees (33-22, 21-7) lost the Northwest Division Championship 3-2 to the Clinton LumberKings (35-19, 16-12) in 10 innings at NelsonCorp Field August 1. 

Burlington had one of its most complete pitching performances, tossing eight combined shutout innings among four pitchers. 

Kaelen Clarkson (Plattsburgh State) got the start. He threw five innings, allowing two earned runs in the second inning. Despite walking five, the lefty lefty seven on-base and struck out three.

Mitch Cox (Crown College) took over for the sixth. The lefty gave up one hit and a walk, but allowed no-runs.

Zach Leuschen (Mt.Marty) had the seventh. He surrendered a hit but threw up a zero.

Braeden Sunken (Maryville) went for 2.1 innings. The righty surrendered one run, which was not earned. 

Burlington had nine hits. Despite scoring both runs in the ninth inning, the team had three players with multiple hits.

Schulte went 2 for 5 with a run scored. Figuereo, who came in mid-way through the game due to injury,  went 2 for 3.

Nowak finished 2 for 4 with 2 RBI. 

This game ends Burlington's 2025 season. It is the team's most wins in a season since joining the Prospect League in 2021. It is also its first Playoff Appearance.