Belter Comeback Falls Just Short
Published on June 9, 2018 under Frontier League (FL)
Normal CornBelters News Release
Andrew Godbold of the Normal CornBelters awaits a pitch
(Normal CornBelters, Credit: Brittnie Jackson)
NORMAL, Ill. - After dropping a heartbreaker last night, the (11-14) Normal CornBelters experienced another one as the late-inning rally fell just short in a 5-4 loss against the (16-9) Southern Illinois Miners
Prior to game two, Normal unveiled their new uniforms. The new unis consisted of a mustard yellow top with CornBelters in green across the chest in cursive with the Miracle League logo on the left sleeve and the main logo on the right. The numbers were green and outlined in white. The pants were also the same yellow and had the main logo on the waist on both sides.
The new West division-leading Southern Illinois Miners didn't waste any time to get to offense train rolling. In the second, starter Kevin Matthews gave up five four runs on six hits. The lefty had trouble with his command that resulted in five walks and his shortest outing in the season of four innings. He didn't great some defensive help when
After giving up his first earned run of the season in the series sweep of River City, Mark Hendricks cooled off the Miners bats in the sixth and seventh. He struck out two and didn't allow any hits in his 12th appearance this season. Jose Savinon was the next Belter arm that Horn used. On his first pitch, the leadoff hitter bunted for a hit and a throwing error by Savinon scored him to push the deficit to 5-0.
Normal showed life in the bottom half of the seventh. Tanner Lubach and Andrew Godbold both reached on walks. Chris Iriart hit a broken back singled into left field that brought in Lubach. Sam Vega then worked a wall to load the bases with two outs, and Justin Fletcher worked a 0-2 count into a walk to bring in the Belters third run.
The Boz (Nick Bozman) bounced back after a tough road trip and retired the Miners in order and picked up his seventh strikeout.
In the eighth, three singles in a row brought in Davis who leadoff the inning to put the Belters down 5-3. The RBI singled was off of Derrick Loveless who continued his on-base streak of 25 games. Iriart smashed a liner to left for a double and brought in Lubach for his team-leading 22nd RBI and second of the game. Derek Bauer attempted a safety squeeze to bring in Loveless but bunted it foul. The center fielder hit a hard ground ball right to the first baseman and a strikeout later ended the Normal threat.
Once again the bullpen kept Southern Illinois off the board. Trevor Simms followed Bozman and retired the division-leaders in order.
Heading into the ninth, the CornBelters had the top of the lineup to bat but were unable to finish the comeback. Normal now looks to avoid the series sweep tomorrow with first pitch at 6:05 p.m.
Images from this story
 Andrew Godbold of the Normal CornBelters awaits a pitch (Brittnie Jackson) |
Frontier League Stories from June 9, 2018
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- Crushers lose lead, then game - Lake Erie Crushers
- CornBelters Fall in Extras to Southern Illinois - Normal CornBelters
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- Miners Move into First Place in Marathon Win at Normal - Southern Illinois Miners
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