:format(jpg):quality(85)/https://blastathletics.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/picture/file/1012622/download__2_.png)
:format(jpg):quality(85)/https://blastathletics.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/picture/file/787618/official-bee.png)
Zee-Bees bring the tying run to the plate in the 7th but fall to Antioch
The Zee-Bees battle through snowy conditions in a back-and-forth game against the Antioch Sequiots. The Zee-Bees took the lead back in the bottom of the first starting with back-to-back doubles by Dominic Diliberti and AJ Neargarder. With two outs, Andrew Carlson roped a single to right field, scoring Neargarder. The Zee-Bees gave the lead back in the top of the 2nd with a few misplays in the field. However, they fought back in the bottom of the inning starting with Michael Gonzalez reaching base on an error. He was able to get to second beating a pick-off throw. Kaden Oatsvall joined Gonzalez on the bases with a walk. Dominic Diliberti put the ball in play, and reached on an error by the pitcher, scoring Gonzalez and moving Oatsvall to third. Sean Sarzaba came in to run for Diliberti and was thrown out trying to steal second, but Oatsvall was able to score on the throw down all while AJ Neargarder was at bat. Neargarder drew a two-out walk and then advanced to third on a passed ball while Rafael "Junior" Villalobos was at bat. Villalobos walked, but Henry Stried was struck out to end the Bee's rally. The Bee's bats were silenced in the 3rd while Antioch was able to put up more runs. Going into the bottom of the 4th the Zee-Bees were down 10-4. The Bees started the bottom of the 4th with a single from Marcelo Gonzalez. That was followed by a solid single from Dominic Diliberti. AJ Neargarder attempted to bunt for a hit, but Gonzalez was thrown out at 3rd. Rafael "Junior" Villalobos came up and hit a hard ground ball to the third basemen, who made an error, allowing the courtesy runner, Sean Sarzaba to score. Villalobos and Neargarder advanced to 2nd and 3rd respectively. Henry Stried drove both of them in with a line drive single to left center, making the score 10-7. The Bees scored again in the bottom of the 5th when Dominic Diliberti grounded into a fielder's choice scoring Michael Gonzalez bringing the score to 10-8. Antioch put two more runs up in the top of the 6th, but the Bees continued to fight back. Rafael "Junior" Villalobos singled to start the bottom of the 6th and was joined on the bases by Henry Stried when he was hit by a pitch. Andrew Carlson lined into a double play but was picked up by Malachi Baartz, who singled down the left field line, plating Junior. Baartz, however, was thrown out trying to stretch the single into a double leaving the Bees down 12-9. Antioch put up an insurance run in the top of the 7th placing the score at 13-9. With two outs in the bottom of the 7th, the Zee-Bees tried to rally one more time. Kaden Oatsvall, Dominic Diliberti, and AJ Neargarder walked bringing the tying run in Rafael "Junior" Villalobos to the plate. Junior worked the count full but was unable to win the battle, ending the game at 13-9.