MWL1 Burlington Bees

Bees End Five-Game Skid, 8-3 over Wisconsin

Published on May 18, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Burlington Bees News Release


GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (5/17/12) - The Burlington Bees (18-22) erupted for seven runs through the first four in- nings and ended their five-game losing streak with an 8-to-3 win over of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (24-17). The win ended the longest losing streak the Bees suffered this year.

Aaron Shipman came into the game with a .455 batting average in his last five games and gave the Bees their first hit of the game with a one-out single in the top of the first. Shipman eventually scored on a double by Dusty Robinson and the Bees led 1-to-0 after one inning.

The offense scored again in the top of the second when Sean Jamieson scored Eliezer Mesa with a two-out single. The Bees led 2-to-0 heading into the bottom of the second.

The Timber Rattlers scored two runs off Bees starter Raul Alcantara in the bottom of the second. Max Walla scored on a two-out triple by Yadiel Rivera. Rivera scored the second run when Alcantara committed only the second balk by a Bees pitcher this year. The score was tied 2-to-2 after two innings.

Infielder Wade Kirkland helped the Bees take the lead again when he launched a two-run bomb over the leftfield wall. Kirkland's second home run of the year gave scored Nick Rickles and gave the Bees a 4-to-2 lead.

Kirkland wasn't done producing after the third inning. The Bees loaded the bases with one out in the fourth for Nick Rickles, but the Bees' catcher struck out swinging. The Bees were in danger of wasting yet another bases loaded situation, but Kirkland had something else in mind. Kirkland battled and yanked a screaming groundball down the third baseline. All three runners scored on Kirkland's double and the Bees led 7-to-2.

Alcantara gave up another run in the bottom of the fourth, but the right-hander returned to form after the inning. Alcantara (3-4) tossed six innings and gave up three runs on six hits and had four strikeouts in his third win of the year. Nate Kilcrease and Max Perlman pitched three scoreless innings to seal the win for the Bees. Dusty Robinson helped with his ninth home run of the year in the ninth inning to give the Bees an 8-to-3 lead that ended up being the final score.

The Bees had pitched well during the losing streak and the defense did enough from time to time. But the Bees finally had all three facets work in the win on Thursday. The offense delivered in the first four innings and gave the Bees a comfortable lead.

Bees hitting coach Haas Pratt felt things finally clicked for the Bees. "The last few games...we're getting that good pitch to drive and we're fouling it off, we're missing it. Tonight, we didn't miss. We had barrel accuracy early in the count and the guys drove the ball when the pitcher made a mistake."

Pratt said the team seemed more enthused after a meeting with the hitters and the Bees' manager Aaron Nieckula before the game. "It was definitely a more enjoyable atmosphere, that's for sure."

Pratt also felt for his hitters during the recent five-game skid that saw his offense only score five runs in a four- game sweep by Peoria.

"I feel for them on a daily basis because guys are going to have bad nights, even when we win. I told them today I'm [the players] biggest fan" He continued by reiterating, "I know how much work and how hard [the players] work before the game. So when the lights turn on I want to see that success, and for [the players] to have that suc- cess. And so I feel for each and every one of them whether we win or lose."

The Bees look to start a winning streak against the Timber Rattlers on Friday night. The rubber match starts at 6:35 p.m. For information on the Bees schedule, call (319) 754-5705 or visit www.gobees.com.

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