Quick Start Leads Bees to Victory in Peru

Peru, IL – The Burlington Bees (8-10) scored seven runs in the first two innings to jump out to a six run lead, which was enough to close out a 9-5 win over the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp (5-13) on June 16 at Schweickert Stadium in Peru, Illinois.  A two out rally is how the Bees plated four runs in the top of the first. After a pair of  groundouts to start the game, five consecutive batters reached off of a hit. Lucas Krebs (Illinois) singled into left before coming in to score off a Troy Peltz (Iowa Western) double. Two pitches later, Tanner Reinartz (Huntington) hit a no doubt home run to left to make it a three run inning. Foti Rigopoulos (Illinois) recorded an infield single and scored after Adam Kudronowicz (Iowa Western) doubled to right center to make the score 4-0. Illinois Valley responded with one run in the bottom of the first, but Burlington's bats stayed hot in the second. Two walks and a single loaded the bases before Krebs picked up his second hit in as many innings by doubling to left center, scoring Gage Handzel (Winthrop) and Jace Figuereo (Quincy). Reinartz would drive in his third runner of the game on a sacrifice fly to score Juan Fernandez (SCC) to put the Bees up 7-1. Kudronowicz would go on to bring the final two runners of the game for the Bees, as he homered to center field in the 5th for his first long ball as a Bee. In the sixth, he recorded his third extra base hit of the game on a double down the left field line to plate Peltz and extend the lead to 9-1. Illinois Valley would score the final five runs of the game, but the Bees would hold on to win 9-6. Bryce Loker (1-1) got the start and picked up the win for Burlington. The right hander pitched five innings, allowing three hits and three earned runs while striking out 8 batters. Patrick Geary (Mesa CC) threw 2 2/3 innings out of the bullpen, surrendering just one run. Zach Troxel (Indiana Wesleyan) got the final four outs of the game while giving up one unearned run. The Bees have their first three game win streak of the season to improve their mark to 8-10. Illinois Valley drops their seventh game in a row to fall to 5-13. The same two teams will meet again tomorrow at Schweickert Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm.