CornBelters Split with ThunderBolts
July 16, 2012 - Frontier League (FL)
Normal CornBelters News Release
CRESTWOOD - The Normal CornBelters, presented by Illinois Corn Farmers, held on for an opening 3-1 win but gave up four unearned runs in the nightcap to fall 5-1 in a doubleheader split with the Windy City ThunderBolts on Monday night at Standard Bank Stadium.
In the opener that completed a suspended game from May 30, the CornBelters resumed the contest with a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, but the ThunderBolts quickly tied the game at 1-1 with an unearned run in the fifth when Travis Weaver reached via error to lead off and scored on an infield single by Chris Wade after the Bolts had loaded the bases. The CornBelters took the lead at 2-1 in the seventh when Trey Manz led off with a double to right followed by a high chopper over the right side by Pat Dockendorf to score Manz. Normal added an insurance run in the eighth when K.C. Judge reached on a two-base error and Steven Felix doubled him home to push thei lead to 3-1.
Drew Provance pitched the full five innings of the resumed game to earn the win in his professional debut. Duke Dykeman (0-2) took the loss.
In the nightcap, the ThunderBolts scored in the first when Michael Torres led off with a walk, was sacrificed to second and scored when Chad Cregar doubled to the right field wall. Windy City added four unearned runs in the third inning with an RBI sing from Zach Aakhus and a two-run double from T.J. McManus serving as the big blows to increase the host's lead to 5-0.
The CornBelters got onto the board in the fourth when Steven Felix reached on a fielder's choice, went to third on a double by Sam Judah just inside the right field line and scored on a ground out by Trey Manz to cut the Bolts lead to 5-1.
Brendon Smith (0-3) took the loss while Tyson Corley (1-5) recorded seven strikeouts with two walks and seven hits over his seven innings for the win.
The CornBelters continue the series in southern Cook County on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. as right-hander Tyler Lavigne (3-4, 4.61 ERA) starts for the Belters against Windy City righty Stephen Sauer (4-4, 3.80 ERA). Pre-game begins at 6:50 on WJBC.com.
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