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The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp took an early three-run lead, but couldn’t maintain it in a 7-5 loss to the Burlington Bees on Wednesday in Burlington, Iowa.
The Shrimp scored a pair of runs in the first inning on an RBI double by Blake Atkins and an RBI single from Sam Link.
Illinois Valley took a 4-1 lead with another pair of runs in the top of the third inning, when Danny Wuestenfeld reached on an error that allowed Atkins and Link to score.
The Bees cut into their deficit with two runs in the bottom of the third, and took the lead for good with three runs in the sixth inning.
Link finished 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI for the Shrimp, while Atkins finished with two runs and an RBI.
Evan Clark started for Illinois Valley, giving up three runs on two hits while striking out three batters and walking five in 2 1/3 innings.
Tyler Conkilin took the loss for the Shrimp, as he surrendered two runs on two hits with three strikeouts and no walks in three innings.
The Pistol Shrimp (13-29) play the Normal CornBelters (21-18) at 6:35 p.m. Thursday in Normal.