By WJBC Staff
WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Normal CornBelters resumed play after the Frontier League All-Star break with a 6-4 win over the Washington Wild Things on Friday night at CONSOL Energy Park.
The Wild Things’ first baserunner was their first run as David Popkins homered to right field with one out in the second inning. The CornBelters answered in the fourth frame when former Wild Thing Jim Vahalik laced a single to right to score Richard Lucas to knot the score.
Washington regained the lead in the fourth when the first three hitters reached base and all scored, beginning with a lead-off triple by Scott Kalamar, a walk to Popkins and and RBI single by Carter Bell. A two-run single by Austin Wobrock completed the scoring, and shortly afterward Belters starter Kevin Brahney was relieved after giving up seven hits and four runs (earned) with two walks and one strikeout in his three and two-thirds innings.
The Belters countered in the fifth inning when Cameron Monger scored from first base on a double by Santiago Chirino to the left field corner to cut the deficit to 4-2. A pair of walks loaded the bases followed by a fielder’s choice RBI by Richard Lucas to trim the Wild Things’ advantage to 4-3.
The CornBelters grabbed a 6-4 lead in the sixth inning by loading the bases with nobody out and scoring on a balk and a two-run single by Chirino.
Chandler Jagodzinski earned the win in relief in his CornBelters debut after his trade from the River City Rascals. Tim Giel (2-4) took the loss, also in relief. Race Parmenter pitched the final frame for his 11th save.
The series continues Saturday at 6:05 p.m. Central from suburban Pittsburgh with righthanders on the mound, Mike Schweiss (4-6, 3.67 ERA) for Normal and Matt Sergey (3-3, 2.33) for Washington. Broadcast time on WJBC.com is 5:50
