CornBelters avoid sweep against Rascals

Posted on August 15, 2016

By WJBC Staff

NORMAL – The Normal CornBelters bounced back with a 5-2 victory over the River City Rascals on Sunday at the Corn Crib.

The CornBelters struck first with a third-inning rally as Santiago Chirino doubled to right center and scored on a two-out single to left by Dylan Kelly.

The Belters added three runs in the fourth inning on a one-out RBI single by Chirino followed by two more runs on a single by Aaron Dudley with the fourth hit of the frame for a 4-0 lead.

Johnny Morales sent a solo home run to the left field lawn in the fifth inning to put the Rascals on the board and cut their deficit to 4-1. River City added a run in the seventh on a fielder’s choice ground out by Josh Silver in the seventh, but the Rascals were denied another run in the frame when center fielder Ty Morris gunned down Morales at the plate trying to score on a fly out.

The CornBelters bumped their lead to 5-2 in the seventh when Chirino scored from third on a bouncing infield single up the middle by Nolan Meadows.

Charlie Gillies (5-2) worked six-plus innings for the win, giving up two earned runs on seven hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Zeb Sneed (6-7) took the loss with five innings, giving up four earned runs on eight hits with three walks and five strikeouts. Brennan Smith worked the ninth inning for his fifth save.

The Belters return home next weekend against Southern Illinois, but first travel to suburban Cincinnati for a three-game series against the Florence Freedom. The Belters play a Wednesday doubleheader beginning at 4:35 p.m. Central and a single game at 6:05 p.m. Central on Thursday.

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