Van Hekken Fires Seven Scoreless Innings En Route To The Victory

(New Britain, CT– June 21, 2018) – The New Britain Bees (24-27) defeated the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (20-30) 11-0 at New Britain Stadium on Thursday evening as the boys from the Hardware City take three of four games in the series. New Britain’s pitching staff notches their third shutout of the season as the Bees have now won ten of their last 14 games overall.

New Britain starting pitcher Andy Van Hekken (2-5) was victorious after firing seven scoreless innings on just three hits allowed, striking out four. The southpaw registers his longest outing of the season while tallying his fifth quality start of the campaign. Southern Maryland starting pitcher Daryl Thompson (3-3) was tagged with the loss after allowing one run on three hits in just four innings of work, striking out two. Thompson had to leave the ballgame in the home half of the fifth after being struck by a line drive off the bat of Matt Tuiasosopo.

With the game scoreless in the bottom of the fifth, the Bees rallied by sending 12 batters to the plate, scoring nine runs on seven hits to take a commanding 9-0 lead. Vinny Siena began the scoring with an RBI base knock, and James Skelton followed with a run-scoring single of his own. Darren Ford and Reid Brignac each followed with consecutive sacrifice flies, while newly acquired Brock Stassi joined the hit parade with a two-run double, his first in a Hardware City uniform. Jamar Walton put the icing on the cake with a three-run home run to right centerfield, his sixth big fly of the season as New Britain had their largest run output in a single frame on the year. New Britain finished the evening with 13 hits, marking the 15^th time this season in which they have collected ten or more hits in a single contest, with Ford, Stassi, Tuiasosopo, Walton, Skelton, and Deibinson Romero each collecting a pair of hits on the night. Photo provided courtesy of Joe Doll.

The Bees now welcome in the Atlantic League’s Road Warriors to New Britain Stadium on Friday, June 22^nd to kick off a three-game weekend series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. It will be another Fat Tire Friday, as fans 21 and over can enjoy five dollar Fat Tire Belgian Style Ale Drafts at any concession stand. It is also New Britain Baseball Throwback Night, as anyone who wears a former New Britain professional baseball jersey is eligible for five dollar tickets! It will also be LGBeeT Night, as the Bees support the local LGBeeT community, with a portion of the proceeds from the game going to New Britain Pride. CLICK HERE for tickets.

About the New Britain Bees

The New Britain Bees are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at New Britain Stadium. For information on ticket packages, group outings and sponsorships call 860-826-BEES (2337) or visit NBBees.com.

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 38 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment. For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.

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