The home run ball proved to be the difference for the Quincy Gems in their 9-2 victory over the Burlington Bees Friday at Community Field.

Matt Schark opened the scoring in the first with his team leading 14th home run of the season. A two-run no-doubter to give Quincy an early 2-0 lead. AJ Henkle responded in the second for the Bees with a two-run shot of his own, his first of the season, to tie the game at 2-2.

The score would stay tied over the next few innings before Jake Skrine got the big hit in the game. Skrine blasted a three-run homer, his sixth of the season, to put Quincy ahead 5-2.

The Gems put all hopes of a comeback to rest in the seventh with a four run inning.  After a leadoff double from Matt Shark, Quincy drew three straight walks, including a bases loaded walk to Joseph Batusich.  Grady Gorden took over on the mound for Kyle Maurer, and gave up an RBI single to Connor Milton, and a two-run single to Jadon Arakaki.  Quincy up 9-2.

Burlington had their opportunities throughout the game, but couldn’t capitalize. They had two runners on at one point in four innings but couldn’t manage any big hits.

Chas Sagedahl suffered the loss and drops to 1-3 on the season. Sagedahl went five innings, allowed five runs on five hits, five walks, and struck out one. Kyle Maurer made his Bees debut, allowing four runs, a hit, four walks, and a K.  Joey Fitzgerald threw for the first time as a Bee, tossing an inning, giving up a hit and a walk, while striking out three.

AJ Henkle had the two run home run for Burlington.  Chase Honeycutt had two singles and a walk.

Schark went 2-4 with the two-run homer, a double, a walk, and a strikeout for the Gems. Schark now leads the Prospect League with 61 RBIs and only needs five more to tie the single season record. The Bees begin a two game series at Community Field against the Lafayette Aviators tomorrow.  First pitch at 6:30 PM.