FL Normal CornBelters

CornBelters Top Windy City to Open Home Season

Published on May 21, 2013 under Frontier League (FL)
Normal CornBelters News Release


NORMAL - The Normal CornBelters, presented by Illinois Corn Farmers, were victorious in a back-and-forth home opener, 7-6 over the Windy City ThunderBolts on Tuesday night at the Corn Crib.

The CornBelters (3-1) continued their trend of scoring first in every game as Mike Schwartz singled the first pitch up the middle followed by a double from Pat McKenna that hopped over the left field fence. Both scored on a fielder's choice from Steven Felix and a single by Romulo Ruiz to give the hosts a 2-0 after one inning.

The top of the CornBelters order produced another run in the third inning to extend the lead to 3-0 when Schwartz singled to right, stole second, went to third on a base hit by Pat McKenna on his sacrifice bunt attempt and scored on a double play ground ball.

The ThunderBolts (1-4) scored in the fifth when Lyndon Estill led off with a double, was sacrificed to third and scored on a base hit to left by Mike Torres. Adam Davis reached after being hit by a pitch and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Zach Aakhus to cut the Belters lead to 3-2. The Bolts tied the game at 3-3 later in the frame when Torres scored on a Doug Joyce single.

The Belters regained the lead right away in the bottom of the fifth when Pat McKenna stroked a one-out triple to the right center field wall and scored on a Steven Felix sacrifice fly.

Windy City pushed three more runs across in the sixth when Estill led off with a single followed by a walk to Davis, and both scored on an errant throw on a sacrifice attempt to give the Bolts a 6-4 lead.

The CornBelters regained a 7-6 lead in the seventh thanks to a three-run homer by Romulo Ruiz down the left field line.

Mitch Mormann picked up his first win in relief while Casey Upperman pitched two scoreless innings for his second save. Rich Hawkins took his first decision in the loss.

The CornBelters continue the opening homestand with a rematch with the ThunderBolts at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Corn Crib. It's Dog Night when fans are encouraged to bring their four-legged friends out to the game. It's Meijer Wednesday where the first 25 fans who present their Meijer receipt (dated May - September) at the Mid-Illini Credit Union Box Office at The Corn Crib each Wednesday will receive four (4) FREE Reserved Bleacher with Back tickets (based on availability). One fan presenting a receipt will also receive a FREE $100 Meijer gift card. It's also Web Wednesday when email newsletter subscribers will receive an exclusive offer the day of the game. For more information, visit Facebook, Twitter (normal_baseball) or www.normalbaseball.com or call 309-454-BALL (2255).

THE NIBLET : The CornBelters are still seeking host families for the 2013 season. The "Host Family Program" provides players with a home away from home. It enables them to live with a family, couple or individual in the Bloomington-Normal area. It is derived from a variety of factors from a player's standpoint. Such factors include: the difficulty in finding a lease for just several months, the possibility of playing for the CornBelters for a limited time and/or the limited salaries that accompany professional baseball at this level of play. For more information, and a host family application, please visit http://www.normalbaseball.com/host-family/.

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Frontier League Stories from May 21, 2013


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