CornBelters Split Doubleheader at Rockford
July 25, 2012 - Frontier League (FL)
Normal CornBelters News Release
LOVES PARK - The Normal CornBelters, presented by Illinois Corn Farmers, split a doubleheader on Wednesday night, losing 7-6 in the opener but winning the nightcap 3-1 at Rockford RiverHawks Stadium.
In the opener, the CornBelters got on the board right away as Ty Wiesemeyer led off the game with his second home run and second in as many nights, a drive over the right field wall. The RiverHawks tied the game in the first when Ted Obregon led off with a triple to right center and scored on a double play, then took a 2-1 lead on a two-out home run to left by Michael Hur.
The Belters gained a 3-2 lead in the second when Andrew Cohn reached via infield single followed by two-run shot to the right field deck by Jason Thompson. The RiverHawks again answered when Matt Greener led off the second with a double, was sacrified to third and scored on a ground out to tie the game at 3-3.
Normal again scored on a long ball as Ernie Banks Jr. homered to straightaway center to lead off the third and give the Belters a 4-3 advantage. The lead increased to 5-3 in the frame when Sam Judah singled up the middle and scored from first on a double to left center by Bubby Williams.
The RiverHawks rallied in the fifth with a four-run frame on five hits, including two doubles and a triple, to take a 7-5 lead. The CornBelters cut the deficit to 7-6 in their final at-bat when Andrew Cohn doubled and scored on a two-out single by Jason Thompson, but the CornBelters could not push the tying run home.
Daniel Britt (3-7) went the six-inning distance to take the loss, while Rockford starter Drew Rucinski (5-1) surrendered 12 hits but picked up the win while Garrett Granitz recorded the final out for his sixth save.
In the nightcap, the CornBelters struck first again by putting up a run in the fourth inning when Steven Felix led off with a walk followed by the Belters' first hit, a single by Sam Judah. A walk to Trey Manz loaded the bases with one out, but the CornBelters couldn't push any more runs across the plate in the frame.
The Belters increased their lead with two runs in the fifth, when Jason Thompson led off with a walk and Steven Felix was hit by a pitch with one out. Ernie Banks Jr. roped a double to score both and give the Belters a 3-0 lead.
The RiverHawks got on the board in the sixth with Evan Button's home run over the right field wall to cut the Normal lead to 3-1.
Brendon Smith (1-3) worked five innings for the win, and Rich Mascheri recorded the final three outs for his seventh save. Kyle Schepel (3-2) took the loss.
The CornBelters continue the series at RiverHawks Stadium on Thursday evening at 7:05 as rookie right-hander Drew Provence (1-1, 8.49 ERA) starts on the mound for the Belters against RiverHawks lefty Ziggie VanderWall (5-3, 5.53 ERA). Pre-game on WJBC.com begins at 6:50 with a scheduled first pitch of 7:05.
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