Somewhere in the almost four hours of nine innings of baseball at Community Field was a play that Burlington Bees manager Owen Oreskovich wants his players to remember.
It came in the fifth inning of the Bees’ 16-7 loss to the Normal CornBelters, when Burlington third baseman Skyler Agnew, chasing a foul ball that was heading toward the grandstands, made the catch as he crashed into the wall, tumbling over the railing.
Agnew was OK, and although Oreskovich said he didn’t get a good look at the play, he appreciated the play and he hoped his players did the same.
“I really love and respect that he’s giving his best effort, no matter what, and that was a hell of a play,” Oreskovich said. “That was a great catch and a great play and great effort.”
The Bees, though, are on a four-game losing streak. They have given up double-digit runs in three of those games.
So, getting back to Agnew’s play…
“It shows he cares,” Oreskovich said. “And that’s one thing I’ve been talking to the assistant coaches about is finding guys that care. Because this is unacceptable. Again, we have enough runs and enough hits to win a game tonight. We can’t get it done on the mound — we’re walking too many guys and letting too many guys get on base.
“That’s aggravating. It might be the most aggravating thing I’ve seen.”
The CornBelters had the leadoff man reach base in seven of the nine innings, and six of them scored. Bees pitchers walked nine hitters, and four scored.
“We’ve got to get ahead,” Oreskovich said. “Too many walks. I’d almost rather give up 10 home runs, because you’re throwing strikes.”
Five Bees pitchers combined to throw 210 pitches, with 122 for strikes.
“Make them earn it,” Oreskovich said. “Throw strikes, you’ve got seven guys behind you who can make plays.”
The Bees (5-15) had nine hits in the game, which lasted 3 hours, 59 minutes. Agnew had two hits, including a two-run home run, and drove in three runs. Cooper Donlin and Cedric Dunnwald each had two hits.
“We’re getting guys on base, and we’re scoring runs,” Oreskovich said. “And then there have been nights where we’ve gotten good pitching and not done that. I really don’t know what to say anymore. It’s tough.”
Logan Barnett (1-1) was the winning pitcher. Shea Blanchard (0-2) was the losing pitcher.
Photo: Skyler Agnew celebrates his two-run home run in the second inning. (Steve Cirinna/Burlington Bees)
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