By WJBC Staff
NORMAL – The Normal CornBelters evened their home series with a 6-1 win over the Washington Wild Things on Wednesday night at the Corn Crib.
The CornBelters scored first with a two-out RBI single from Mike Fish, plating Santiago Chirino after his one-out double that was lost in the sun.
The Belters added three runs in the fourth inning, beginning with a Mike Fish single with one out. Fish stole second and went to third on an error on a ground ball from Michael Skoller, then scored on a Dylan Kelly single. Aaron Dudley brought Skoller home with a sacrifice fly, then Elijah Trail doubled home Kelly to complete the scoring and give the hosts a 4-0 lead.
The Wild Things manufactured a run in the fifth inning with a lead-off double to the right field corner by David Popkins, who went to third on a fielder’s choice and scored on a base hit up the middle by Scott Carcaise to cut Washington’s deficit to 4-1.
The CornBelters added a pair of tallies in the seventh inning when Dillon Haupt tripled to lead off the frame and scored on a Santiago Chirino double. Nolan Meadows traded places with Chirino with another double for a 6-1 advantage.
Mike Schweiss (2-2) earned the win with seven innings of work with one run (earned) on three hits, walking one and striking out eight. Conner Kendrick (0-2) took the loss, working 5 1/3 innings with four runs (two earned) and seven hits, walking four and striking out four.
The series concludes Thursday with a 6:35 p.m. first pitch at the Corn Crib as the Belters send lefty Max Homick (1-2, 7.36 ERA) to the mound while the Wild Things counter with right-hander Chase Cunningham (2-0, 3.17). Broadcast time on WJBC-AM 1230 and WJBC.com is 6:20 p.m.
