Cornbelters Win Hitting Fest
Published on July 27, 2010 under Frontier League (FL)
Normal CornBelters News Release
NORMAL, IL - The Normal CornBelters, presented by the Illinois Corn Farmers, watched as a Breck Draper two-run home run was blasted in the third inning to break open the score with a 2-0 lead. However, in the bottom of the third inning, the CornBelters answered with three runs of their own.
Mike Dufek started the inning with a solo home run to right field, followed by Daniel Cox's two-out, two-run home run to make it three runs in the inning. From there, the Grizzlies answered with a run in the fourth inning, and the CornBelters scored two more in the fifth.
Mike LaLuna entered the game to pick up a save in the ninth inning, but it didn't come easy. He walked a batter, then let Brandon Peters single to put a runner at first and second with one out. Then he hit Gordon Gronkowski to load the bases. LaLuna forced Charlie Lisk to pop out to Asif Shah, but the run from third base bulldozed over catcher Elvin Milan Jr. for the tying run, and the other runners advanced with two outs. He got out of the inning but the CornBelters had to bat in the bottom half.
They went 3-up, 3-down in the bottom half and the game moved to extra innings. In the bottom of the 10th inning, Ross McCoy hit a double down the left field line, allowing Johnathan Ross to come up and bunt, which turned into a bunt single. The Grizzlies intentionally walked Asif Shah to load the bases with no outs. Steve Bralver stepped to the plate but didn't have to swing as the pitcher threw a wild pitch on his first pitch since coming in from the bullpen.
Dan Blewett held his own on the mound, in an offensively heavy game. He pitched 6 innings, striking out six hitters, giving up seven hits and letting in three runs.
Daniel Cox was a big batter for the CornBelters. He went 2-for-5 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Chris Brown also made a difference before injuring himself in the 7th inning. He was 1-for-2 with 2 RBIs. Mike Dufek was also 1-for-3 with a solo home run for an RBI.
The CornBelters take to the road after the 6-5 win. They head to Florence, KY Wednesday to play the Freedom. That game will begin at 5:45 PM and be broadcasted on WJBC.com and 95.9 FM.
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