CornBelters capture series finale at Evansville

Posted on June 12, 2015

By Greg Halbleib

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Normal CornBelters, presented by Illinois Corn Farmers, captured the finale of a series with the Frontier League East Division-leading Evansville Otters by a 7-2 score on Thursday night at Bosse Field.

The CornBelters took advantage of early wildness from Evansville starter Tyler Vail, who walked three and gave up an RBI fielder’s choice to Sam Judah, a run-scoring single by Richard Lucas and a two-run double by Santiago Chirino to take a 4-0 lead after their first time at bat.

The Otters answered by drawing a leadoff walk to Ronnie Richardson, who moved to second on a passed ball and scored an unearned run on a two-out flare to left by Nik Balog to cut the deficit to 4-1.

The Belters added a run in the fifth inning on a single up the middle by Pat McKenna, scoring Mark Micowski from second base for a 5-1 lead.

Otters designated hitter Kurt Wertz Jr. homered over the left field wall with two outs in the fifth inning, but the Belters got the run back in the top of the sixth when Chirino was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame and scored from first on a double to left by Cameron Monger to put the guests ahead 6-2. Chirino singled in Ozney Guillen in the ninth for the final tally.

Kevin Brahney (4-1) earned the win with six innings of work, walking one and striking out 10 while giving up five hits and one earned run. Tyler Vail (2-1) took the loss, tossing five innings with five runs (all earned) on five hits with five walks and four strikeouts.

The CornBelters continue the road trip with a swing to the western suburbs of St. Louis for three games with the River City Rascals. Right-hander Chris Carmain (3-1, 2.39 ERA) starts on the mound for the Belters for Friday’s series opener. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. with a 6:20 broadcast start on WJBC.com

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…