CornBelters explode late to take series finale over Rascals

Posted on June 16, 2016

(Logo courtesy Normal CornBelters)

By WJBC Staff

NORMAL – The Normal CornBelters broke open a close game with a five-run seventh inning and hit four home runs to defeat the River City Rascals 13-8 on Thursday night at the Corn Crib.

The CornBelters opened the scoring for the third straight game with a two-out, three-run homer to left center field by Elijah Trail. The Rascals loaded the bases with one out in their second inning, but a 1-2-3 double play ended the threat.

River City threatened again in the fourth, tying the game when the first three hitters reached base and all scored on and RBI single by Mike Jurgella and a two-run base hit by Clint Freeman.

The Belters regained the lead right away in their fourth when Aaron Dudley led off with a single and scored on a triple to right by Nolan Meadows, who was plated by a double by R.J. Perucki to the left center gap for a 5-3 lead.

The Rascals countered again in the fifth inning with a two-out, two-run homer by Alexi Colon high onto the right field hill to tie the contest at 5-5. The guests gained their first lead in the sixth when Robby Enslen drew a lead-off walk and came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Jason Merjano for a 6-5 advantage.

Normal came back again in the next half-inning as Meadows planted a two-run homer onto the right field lawn for a 7-6 lead.

The Belters batted around and extended the lead in the seventh as Michael Skoller led off with a single, was sacrificed to second and driven home by a double to left center by Dylan Kelly. The CornBelters slugged two more towering home runs to left in the frame, a two-run drive by Dillon Haupt and a solo drive by Trail, plus an RBI triple by R.J. Perucki for a 12-6 advantage.

A sacrifice fly by Aaron Dudley to plate Michael Skoller in the eighth completed the Belters scoring. Colon slapped a two-run homer to right field in the ninth inning for the final Rascals tallies.

Quinn Pippin (1-1) took the win with one inning of relief. Reese Gregory (2-1) took the loss, also in relief.

The Belters visit Southern Illinois for a weekend series with the Miners at 7:05 p.m. Friday, 6:05 p.m. Saturday and 5:05 p.m. Sunday. Normal sends right-hander Chris Carmain (1-3, 4.85 ERA) to the mound for Friday’s opener while the Miners counter with lefty Rick Teasley (3-1, 2.74). Broadcast time on WJBC.com is 6:50.

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