By WJBC Staff
NORMAL – The Normal CornBelters surrendered eight runs in the fifth inning to break a tie as the Gateway Grizzlies won the rubber game of the series 14-6 on Thursday night at the Corn Crib.
The Grizzlies struck in the second inning on a two-run homer to left center field by Blake Brown, then added a run in the third with a sacrifice fly by Cody Livesay to plate Logan Davis, who singled to lead off the frame and went to third on an errant pickoff throw.
The Belters scored in their third inning on a solo home run to left field by Mitch Elliott to cut the Grizzlies lead to 3-1. A two-run double to the right field corner in the Belters fourth inning by R.J. Perucki scored Aaron Dudley and Dillon Haupt to tie the contest at 3-3.
Gateway regained a large lead in the fifth inning when Logan Davis was hit by a pitch to lead off, went to third on a hit-and-run single by Livesay and scored on a sacrifice fly to right field by Seth Heck. The guests plated seven more in the frame with a bases-loaded, two-run single by Tyler Tewell, an RBI base hit by Brown, a bases-loaded triple by Davis and an RBI single by Livesay for a 11-3 lead.
The Belters registered an unearned run when a sharply-hit grounder by Dudley was misplayed at second base, scoring Santiago Chirino from third base after he originally also reached via error.
The Grizzlies answered with a solo home run by Tewell in the sixth inning to extend their advantage to 12-4.
Dudley cut the Belter deficit to 12-6 with a no-doubt two-run homer to the right center field lawn with two outs in the seventh inning.
Gateway scored in the ninth inning on a home run by Brandon Thomas and an RBI single by Davis.
Adam Eggnatz (2-0) worked six innings for the win, giving up four runs (three earned) on four hits with two walks and five strikeouts. Chris Carmain (2-4) took the loss with four and one-third innings, surrendering 10 runs (nine earned) on 10 hits with one walk and one strikeout.
The Belters return home Tuesday through Thursday to face the Traverse City Beach Bums, but first travel to the Cincinnati area this weekend for a three-game series against the Florence Freedom. Right-hander Mike Schweiss (2-2, 2.34 ERA) starts on the mound for the Belters. Broadcast time on WJBC.com is 5:50 p.m. Central Friday and Saturday and 4:50 p.m. Sunday.
