By WJBC Staff
NORMAL – The Normal CornBelters (11-18) couldn’t hang on to a 4-0 lead and lost their second in a row to the River City Rascals at the Corn Crib, 8-5, on Wednesday night.
The Belter offense started off in the first with a leadoff single from Santiago Chirino, followed by a blast from Dylan Kelly to put runners at the corners. Aaron Dudley grabbed his 23rd RBI with a single of his own to bring in Chirino. Nolan Meadows loaded the bases with two outs, but the Belters would leave three on base with the end of the inning.
The offense continued into the second when Elijah Trail bounced one down the third base line for a leadoff single, followed by a single from Victor Barron. A bunt from Chirino loaded the bases for the second time. Dillon Haupt grounded out but scored Trail to put the Belters up by two. Dudley reloaded the bases after being walked. Mike Fish put one just over second base to reach first and score two more runs, putting the CornBelters up 4-0.
The Rascals answered in the top of the fourth with a solo home run from Johnny Morales to put them within three runs. Normal started Max Homick put Kyle Gaedele on first with a walk, and then Alexi Colon put a grounder past Aaraon Dudley at first to put two runners in scoring position. Mike Jurgella grounded out and scored Gaedele from third. Griff Gordon blasted a double to centerfield to score Colon and put the Rascals within one run.
The CornBelters came back in the fifth to add another to the lead with a solo homer from Chirino to put them up 5-3.
The offensive duel continued in the top of the sixth. Homick walked Morales to start off the inning, and he was brought home with a double from Jurgella. Another walk brought a pitching change, and Horacio Acosta replaced Homick on the mound. Robby Enslen blasted a three-run homer over the left-center fence to give the Rascals their first lead of the night, 7-5.
The Rascals added to their lead in the eighth with a solo home run from Jurgella, and the Belters couldn’t cross the plate again.
The winning pitcher was Tim Koons (2-1), who was on the mound for five and two-thirds innings and gave up ten hits, five runs, one walk and six strikeouts. The save went to Zac Treece, who pitched one inning and gave up one hit. The losing pitcher was Max Homick (2-3), who worked five and two-thirds innings, with five hits, six runs, walked four with three strikeouts.
The CornBelters are back in action Thursday with the series finale against the Rascals (18-11). On the mound for Normal will be Matthew Chavarria (0-3, 3.00) and he will be facing Josh Wright (3-0, 2.57). First pitch is at 6:35 p.m. Broadcast time on WJBC-AM 1230 and WJBC.com is 6:20.
