DANVILLE, Va. - Mother Nature took control of the Burlington and Danville game Tuesday night when the bottom of the sixth began and the only people on the field were the grounds crew.
With a pop-up storm hitting southern Virginia, the game was halted in the sixth inning with the Sock Puppets leading the Otterbots, 3-1. The contest was ultimately called approximately 45 minutes after the tarp was staked to the ground, giving Burlington the win.
Before the storm, Burlington and Danville battled back and forth. The first run scored came in the bottom of the third, when third baseman Jaxon Goldberg attacked the second pitch he saw from Sock Puppets starter Ryan Hench. Goldberg stood at second base with a one-out double for leadoff man and center fielder Elgin Bennett.
Bennett also hit the second pitch in his at-bat. It was a sizzler tucked perfectly in the right field line that remained fair. As the ball rolled to the wall, Goldberg rolled around third to score. Bennett had his eyes set on third. However, the perfect throw from Burlington’s Dusty Vela nabbed him there.
The Otterbots’ two-out woes continued in the fifth inning as all the Sock Puppets’ runs came with two down. A single by shortstop Ariel Antigua brought in catcher Sam Laux, and another one-bagger by first baseman DJ Merriweather plated two more.
The offense halted there and so did the game. Burlington snagged its 17th win of the year, further solidifying its first-place spot, and the Otterbots were handed their 17th loss. The clubs play each other again Wednesday in Burlington. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. ET.
For more information on 2025 Single Game Tickets, Season Tickets, Corporate Partnerships and Group Outings, email matt@danvilleotterbots.com or call the Otterbots Front Office at 434-554-4487. The Danville Otterbots play their home games at American Legion Field at Dan Daniel Memorial Park.
