Bats Lead Way in 8-5 Win

(Clinton, IA) - The Burlington Bees (12-24) snapped a six-game losing streak, beating the Clinton LumberKings (15-23) 8-5 on Thursday night at Ashford University Field.

The Bees batted nine times in the first inning, grabbing the lead. Jahmai Jones started the game with a double to left and then moved to third on a sacrifice bunt from Jordan Zimmerman. Brennon Lund gave the Bees the lead, driving in Jones with a triple. Brennan Morgan made it a 2-0 lead with a double to left. John Schuknecht picked up his first RBI of the season, dropping a single into right, scoring Morgan. Sam McDonnell capped off the inning with a two-run double, extending the Bees' lead to 5-0.
Schuknecht walked with two outs in the third inning and then scored on a Roberto Baldoquin double, making the score 6-0 in favor of the Bees.
After Clinton scored a run in the bottom of the third inning, the Bees added to their lead in the fourth. Jahmai Jones started the frame with a triple and then scored on a triple from Jordan Zimmerman. Brennon Lund made it three straight triples, driving in Zimmerman and extending the Bees' lead to 8-1.
The Bees would have to hang on as Clinton went on to score one in the fifth and another in the sixth inning, before Luis Liberato belted a two-run homer in the ninth, but the Bees would hang on for the 8-5 win. 
Bees' starting pitcher Nate Bertness (2-3) struck out a season-high eight batters, earning the win. Danny Garcia (2-4) was charged with the loss. The Bees and the LumberKings continue the series on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. as Sam Pastrone makes the start for the Bees against Brandon Miller for the LumberKings.