Wheeling, IL — A walk-off left Zion-Benton Varsity Zee-Bees on the wrong end of an 8-7 defeat to Wheeling Varsity Wildcats on Friday at Sport Complex at Heritage Park. The game was tied at seven in the bottom of the seventh when Collin Fitzgerald singled, scoring one run. Brayden Duran collected three hits in three at bats in the loss. Duran singled in the first inning, singled in the fifth inning, and singled in the seventh inning. Zion-Benton Varsity Zee-Bees got on the board in the top of the first inning after Aaden Grider was struck by a pitch, Ivan Jones walked, and Andrew Mitchell grounded into a fielder's choice, each scoring one run. Zion-Benton Varsity Zee-Bees added to their early lead in the top of the third inning after Grider tripled to right field, and Jack Marabella grounded out, each scoring one run. Wheeling Varsity Wildcats jumped into the lead in the bottom of the sixth when Sam Villarreal induced Owen Zalewski to hit into a fielder's choice, but one run scored, Jose Rivera doubled, scoring two runs, and Grant Scheuerman singled, scoring one run. Marabella doubled down the left field line, which helped Zion-Benton Varsity Zee-Bees tie the game at seven in the top of the seventh. Villarreal took the loss for Zion-Benton Varsity Zee-Bees. The pitcher went one inning, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits, striking out one and walking two. AJ Neargarder began the game for Zion-Benton Varsity Zee-Bees. The hurler allowed six hits and three runs (one earned) over four innings, striking out four and walking none. Zion-Benton Varsity Zee-Bees accumulated nine hits in the game. Marabella provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led Zion-Benton Varsity Zee-Bees with three runs batted in. The left-handed hitter went 1-for-4 on the day. Dominic Diliberti and Duran each collected three hits for Zion-Benton Varsity Zee-Bees. Grider collected two hits for Zion-Benton Varsity Zee-Bees in two at bats. Zion-Benton Varsity Zee-Bees turned one double play in the game. Next up for Zion-Benton Varsity Zee-Bees is a game at Hoffman Estates on Monday. Copyright © 2025 GameChanger Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Any reuse or republication of this story must include the preceding attribution and is subject to the Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. Terms of Use, License Agreement, and Privacy Policy.