By Greg Halbleib
NORMAL – The Normal CornBelters won a pitcher’s duel with a 2-1 victory in 12 innings over the Evansville Otters on Thursday night at the Corn Crib.
The CornBelters put runners at second and third in the fourth inning and loaded the bases in the seventh, but finally broke the long scoreless tie with a no-doubt lead-off home run to the left field lawn by Dillon Haupt in the eighth inning.
The Otters tied the game with two outs in the ninth inning when Rolando Gomez walked, stole second and scored on a double to the left field corner by John Schultz.
The game remained knotted until the 12th inning when the Belters loaded the bases with the international tie breaker runner, Ty Morris, followed by a low popup bunt attempt that fell in for a single by Mike Fish and an intentional walk to Santiago Chirino. With one out, Haupt bounced to shortstop but the double play attempt squirted out of the second baseman’s mitt as Morris crossed the plate for the winning run.
The starting pitchers dominated but did not earn decisions, as Evansville’s Tyler Vail struck out eight hitters in his six innings and Normal’s Chris Carmain recorded six strikeouts in seven innings. Kevin Jefferis (1-0) picked up the win while Tyler Thompson (0-1) was tagged with the loss.
The CornBelters continue the home stand with a three-game series with the Southern Illinois Miners beginning with Friday’s 6:35 p.m. contest. Right-hander Mike Schweiss (1-0, 1.80 ERA) is the scheduled starter on the mound for the Belters. CEFCU Fireworks Friday features a post-game sky show, and the Belters will wear special camouflage jerseys to commemorate Illinois Portable Toilets Salute to the Armed Forces. Pre-game is here on WJBC.com is at 6:20.
