MWL1 Burlington Bees

Defense Stars in Bees' Win

Published on August 28, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Burlington Bees News Release


GENEVA, Ill. (8/28/12) - The Burlington Bees (67-66, 35-29) dazzled with great defense and frustrated the Kane County Cougars (66-68, 32-32) with pitching in a 3-to-1 victory. By winning game four, the Bees split the series with the Cougars and regained a three-game lead in the Western Division standings.

First round pick Addison Russell got the Bees off to a great start when he doubled to right field on the first pitch of the game. Russell scored on a double Max Muncy smashed to the center field wall. The double was Muncy's fifth two-bagger of the series.

The Bees expanded on their 1-to-0 lead after Aaron Shipman walked to lead off the second inning, and eventu- ally scored on single by Russell. The Bees led 2-to-0 after the second, but Russell had more in store for Kane County. The 18-year-old shortstop scored another run in the seventh after a double by Sam Roberts and a throwing error by the left fielder.

Russell and Roberts also starred in the field on Tuesday. With a runner at first and two outs in the second, the Roberts ranged to his right to backhand a bouncer on a tough short hop. The second baseman shoveled the ball to Russell for the force-out at second to end the frame.

Russell also had impressed with his range on a groundball that ended the fourth. Henry Moreno hit a ground ball to the first base side of the mound, but that didn't keep Russell from flying over to snag the ground and fire to first for an out. When Russell threw to first, his body appeared parallel to the ground.

Not to be outdone by the middle infielders, third baseman Wade Kirkland bare handed a ground that bounced off the pitcher's foot. Kirkland slung the ball to first to end the sixth.

Three runs and strong defense was all the support the pitching staff required in game four. Blake Hassebrock dominated the Cougars through scoreless inning. The Cougars sprinkled seven hits off Hassebrock (2-1), but the right-hander also struck out three and earned his second win.

Seth Frankoff added two scoreless innings out the pen and earned his sixth hold. Jose Macias allowed his team-leading 14th home run, but also earned a strikeout en route to his ninth save of the season.

The Bees travel to Clinton to start a three-game series. A.J. Cole (6-3) gets the ball in game one, which is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. CT start.

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