By WJBC Staff
NORMAL – The Normal CornBelters split the doubleheader with the Frontier Greys on Sunday afternoon, taking the first game 5-2 while managing only three hits in a 5-0 nightcap loss.
The CornBelters earned the first run of the afternoon in the third inning of the first game. Mark Micowski singled, stole second and reached third on a fielder’s choice, then scored on a wild pitch to give the Belters a 1-0 lead.
The Greys struck back in the fourth inning when Dillon Haupt hit an RBI single, tying the game 1-1. Haupt brought in All-Star second baseman Brandon Tierney who had reached third base on a hit and error.
The Belters took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth when Sam Judah hit a triple and scored on an error.
Belters starter Kevin Johnson (4-2) pitched four and one-third innings in the opener, giving up four hits and two walks while striking out five.
The Greys tied the game in the fifth inning when Shane Brown hit an RBI single to bring in Zach Tanner.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, All-Star shortstop Pat McKenna put the Belters back on top with a two-out RBI double to bring in Jason Merjano making the score 3-2.
In the sixth inning, Greys reliever Nick McBride came on for starter Andrew Wellwerts (2-1). Wellwerts allowed eight hits, walked one and stuck out two.
Belters catcher Jim Vahalik hit a two-run insurance double in the bottom of the sixth for the final runs. Richard Lucas stole second and Austin Wright took first on a hit by pitch before both advanced a base on a balk before Vahalik hit his double.
Belters closer Race Parmenter recorded the final three outs including two strikeouts for his tenth save of the season. The win was awarded to Cole Brocker (2-0) who relieved Johnson in the fifth inning.
In Game Two, the Greys came across home plate first in the third inning. Brown hit a one-out RBI single to bring in Tanner. Julio Rodriguez brought in a second run when he hit a fielder’s choice to bring in Ben Lodge giving the Greys a 2-0 lead.
The Greys added to their lead in the fifth inning when Tanner hit a double to center field to bring in Haupt. Lodge hit a fielder’s choice as well to bring in Jhiomar Veras giving the Greys a 4-0 lead.
After three and two-third innings Belters starter Mike Schweiss (4-6) was pulled from the mound. Schweiss had six hits, two walks and struck out one batter.
In the seventh inning the Greys added to their lead with an Jhiomar Veras RBI single that brought in Tierney bringing the Greys lead to 5-0.
The winning pitcher was Greys starter Jordan Kraus (5-3) who pitched a seven-inning complete game with only three hits, two walks and three strikeouts.
The CornBelters go into the All-Star Break with a 29-22 record in second place in the Frontier League West Division. The Belters return to league-play on Friday when they travel to play the Washington Wild Things (23-38), then return to the Corn Crib for a six-game stand beginning July 21.
