By JOHN BOHNENKAMP
Those who have stayed for the final three games of the season almost pulled off another big comeback for the Burlington Bees.
Thursday’s 12-7 loss to the Clinton LumberKings in a Prospect League game at Community Field came with a lineup for the Bees that had some new names, and some old names in different positions.
And down 10-1 going into the bottom of the seventh, the Bees rallied to have the potential go-ahead run at the plate in the eighth inning.
That, Bees manager Owen Oreskovich said, says something about the character of the remaining roster.
“I’m just proud of these guys for sticking it out,” Oreskovich said. “That’s a big thing to me. I think it shows maturity and the willingness just to stick with something you committed to, I can’t ask too much more from these guys right now — they’re going out there, they’re still competing, they’re fulfilling what they committed to and I’m very appreciative.”
The final couple of weeks of the summer college season usually leads to roster upheaval, as players leave for their next destination or get some time off before going back to school. Oreskovich was down to nine position players, but will get some reinforcements for the final two games on Friday and Saturday with the return of outfielder Lincoln Riley and first baseman Keanu Spenser.
“We’re set pitching-wise, which is usually the biggest problem at this point in the season,” Oreskovich said. “We’ll have some guys back and that will get us through Saturday.”
The Bees (23-32 overall, 13-15 second half), who were officially eliminated from playoff contention on Tuesday, lost their fifth consecutive game, but nearly pulled off a comeback reminiscent of last Friday’s 10-9 win over Alton, when they rallied from an 8-0 deficit to win in extra innings.
They got two runs in the seventh inning in this game, leaving the bases loaded with two outs, then got four runs in the eighth inning on just one hit, taking advantage of five walks and a hit-by-pitch.
Ian Wolski, who has been the Bees’ catcher all season but was working at first base in this game, batted with the bases loaded. He hit a deep fly ball to left field off Clinton reliever Evan Chung, but the ball was caught on the edge of the warning track by Patrick McGinn, and the inning was over.
“I knew he didn’t get enough of it,” Oreskovich said. “I had a pretty good angle.”
That was it for the Bees, who gave up two runs in the top of the ninth and then went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning to end it.
Sebastian Parchomenko (1-1) was the winning pitcher in relief. Bees starter Adrian Nery (1-4) took the loss.
Coy Sarsfield reached base four times and had two hits for the Bees. Caleb Wulf had two hits and drove in a run, as did Connor Laeng.
The Bees play host to Clinton on Friday, then close the season with a Saturday home game against Quincy.
“I’m telling the guys, just enjoy these games,” Oreskovich said. “I’d still like to win, obviously. I’m just trying to have these guys enjoy these last few games with their buddies, the friends they made this summer.”
Photo: Burlington’s Coy Sarsfield steals third base in the sixth inning of Thursday’s game. (Steve Cirinna/Burlington Bees)
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