Burlington, IA – It looked like the Burlington Bees were sure to win when Dalton Miller held a 3-0 count with the bases loaded and a two-run deficit in the bottom of the ninth inning. Yet, Hoots reliever Noah Jones pulled enough strings to force a double play and subsequent strikeout, sealing a 7-5 O’Fallon win at Community Field on Saturday night.
O’Fallon’s big fourth inning put it in a position to win. Four runs were scored, and outfielder Nick Bonczkowski doubled to right field to bring in both John Connors and Brady Vessells. After an error by the shortstop Lucas Krebs, Bonczkowski scored and Kyle Rehg singled home Griffin Brown.
Despite two Hoots runs in the seventh inning and one in the ninth, the Bees battled to come back. Burlington’s eight inning saw a lot of small ball that resulted in three runs from just one hit. Pinch hitter Juan Fernandez had the biggest drive of the inning with a sac fly that scored Adam Kudronowicz.
O’Fallon starter Jake Collier won his second start of the season, giving up just two runs in over five innings of work. Jones took the save in one inning of work. Burlington starter Aiden Torronez (Illinois-Chicago) was tagged with the loss after he was removed in the fourth inning. Ty Mikkelsen led the Bees (4-7) with three innings of relief.
The Hoots (5-5) will host the Normal CornBelters at CarShield Field on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
