CornBelters Set Franchise Record for Season Wins
Published on August 28, 2014 under Frontier League (FL)
Normal CornBelters News Release
NORMAL, Ill. - The Normal CornBelters, presented by Illinois Corn Farmers, set a franchise single-season record with their 47th win as they won their fifth straight contest, a 4-3 victory in 11 innings over the Lake Erie Crushers on Wednesday night.
The CornBelters struck first in the third inning when Pat McKenna was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a fielder's choice and scored on a Mike Schwartz double to the left center field wall. Joey Burney drilled a line drive home run on the first pitch of the fourth inning to tie the contest at 1-1, and the Crushers took a 2-1 lead on a two-out RBI single by Ryan Hutchison.
The Belters tied the contest at 2-2 in the fifth inning when Jhiomar Veras led off with a single, went to third on a double over the right center fence by Dylan Kelly and scored on a sacrifice fly to left by Schwartz. For the second time on the evening, the Crushers homered on the first pitch of an inning as Andrew Davis gave the guests a 3-2 lead with a drive high onto the left field lawn.
The CornBelters tied the game in the sixth when Aaron Dudley led off with a double and came home on a muffed grounder hit by Ozney Guillen. The Belters loaded the bases with nobody out in the ninth but did not score, sending the game to extra innings. The Crushers left a runner at third in the tenth inning, but the CornBelters had first and second bases occupied in their half but a 3-6 double play ended the threat.
The Belters broke through in the eleventh when Schwartz led off with a single followed by a one-out base hit by Aaron Dudley. The runners moved to second and third on a groundout by Richard Lucas, setting the stage for Guillen to slap a 1-0 pitch to center to score Schwartz and send the CornBelters to the record-setting win.
Eric Anderson (1-1) earned the win while Brandon Smith (2-1) suffered the loss. The Belters have won 12 of their last 14 games.
The Belters play their final home game of the season beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday on Fan Appreciation Night with post-game fireworks. The night is also a Miller Thirst Quenching Thursday with $1 beers, $2 margaritas and post-game music by None Taken. The Belters send right-hander Mike Schweiss (4-2, 6.42 ERA) to the mound against Lake Erie lefty Andy Roberts (2-0, 2.87). Details can be found at the team web site, www.normalbaseball.com . The games can be heard live at www.normalbaseball.com beginning 10 minutes before the scheduled first pitch.
THE NIBLET : Season ticket packages for the 2015 season are currently on sale! For more information, please contact the CornBelters today at (309) 454-2255 (BALL) or stop by the Mid-Illini Credit Union Box Office at The Corn Crib during normal business hours.
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