Tim Gronski teaching hitting for a living.

He studies batters. Owner of The Sandlot complex in Moline, Gronski understands the intricacies of squarely crushing a baseball.

But none of his expertise matters when he's relegated to his small patch of grass down the third-base line.

Just as it has through much of the season, Gronski's Pleasant Valley team laced hits Monday against Burlington. But just as the Spartans have also done since late May, they couldn't bring enough home.

Burlington took advantage of more opportunities, earning a doubleheader sweep 5-3 and 8-4.

"We can't seem to get the big hit," Gronski said. "In high school baseball, you have to be able to cash in when you have the opportunity."

The Spartans (3-22, 0-10 Mississippi Athletic Conference) left 17 runners on base between the two games.

And too often this summer, they've figured things out 10 minutes too late. They scored four of their seven runs in the final inning of each game.

Burlington (24-6, 9-3) knows about tough luck.

Earlier in the month, the Grayhounds dropped a home doubleheader to North Scott. It was the first home sweep Burlington had felt at home in at least six seasons.

But the Grayhounds didn't allow the problems to compound.

"It's been all about perseverance," coach Dan Reid said. "Keokuk 10-runned us early in the year, and we came back to win six straight.

"We were well aware that PV would play us in close games. I've looked at scores online, and they've had a lot of close ones."

Just not enough winning ones.

The Spartans defense and pitching showed exceptional flashes Monday, but the single-inning breakdowns Gronski has come to dread.

His players aren't complacent on the subject and share the coach's view that "this team is so close."

First baseman Nathan Schickling drove in four runs and finished 3-for-7.

"We just haven't been catching any breaks," he said. "We need those extra-base hits. Maybe they'll start falling.

"But that's baseball. It's a game of failure."

Midway through the season, though, Schickling and his teammates still have hopes of turning that around.