Greys Strike Early and Hold off CornBelters
Published on July 10, 2015 under Frontier League (FL)
Normal CornBelters News Release
NORMAL, Ill. - The Normal CornBelters, presented by Illinois Corn Farmers, dropped a heartbreaker at the Corn Crib on Friday night against the Frontier Greys in a 6-5 loss.
It was not until the fifth inning that a run came across home plate. Greys third baseman Zach Tanner took advantage of a double play to score the first run of the game, giving the Greys a 1-0 lead.
In the sixth inning, Greys second baseman Brandon Tierney hit a two-run deep ball just over the wall in left field adding to the Greys' lead at 3-0. The Belters struck back when shortstop Pat McKenna hit an RBI double to bring in Mark Micowski. Aaron Dudley hit a sacrifice fly as well to bring in Santiago Chirino cutting the Greys' lead to 3-2.
After six innings, Belters starter Robert Baroniel (0-1) came off the mound. Baroniel had seven hits including one home run while striking out six.
In the seventh inning, Greys outfielder Shane Brown added to the Frontier lead when he hit a one-out RBI single. Catcher Mike Falsetti reached home on a fielder's choice. The Greys added a third run in the inning off of an RBI double from Scott Carcaise to give the Greys a 6-2 lead.
Greys starter Brett Shanklin (3-1) ended his night in the seventh inning. Shanklin allowed seven hits, one walk and struck out three.
The Belters struck back in the seventh inning when catcher Jim Vahalik hit a one-out RBI double to bring the Belters closer. Micowski took the opportunity and hit a two-out home run to bring in Vahalik making the score 6-5.
Nick Anderson recorded the final four outs to shut down the Belters and record his ninth save.
The CornBelters (28-21, 2nd Frontier League West) face the Greys (22-24, 4th East) in Game 2 on Saturday at 6:35 p.m. at the Corn Crib in a pitching match-up of right-handers, Kevin Johnson (4-2, 3.53 ERA) for the Belters and Andrew Wellwerts (2-1, 4.50) for the Greys. Broadcast time on WEZC-FM 95.9 and WJBC.com is 6:20.
Before the game, the Frontier League announced Belters shortstop Pat McKenna would be one of the four West Division participants in Tuesday's Home Run Derby during All-Star activities in Schaumburg. McKenna has hit 12 homers, third most in the league.
THE NIBLET: CornBelters full season tickets for the 2015 season are currently on sale! To purchase full season tickets tickets, or 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.
Frontier League Stories from July 10, 2015
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- Wild Things Come Back Late, Top Aviators 6-3 - Washington Wild Things
- Outstanding Pitching Leads Freedom to Victory - Florence Y'alls
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- Florence Sneaks Past Boomers in Series Opener - Schaumburg Boomers
- Beach Bums Win 2-1 - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Balog and Walch Fuel 8-1 Evansville Win - Evansville Otters
- Greys Strike Early and Hold off CornBelters - Normal CornBelters
- Rascals Split Twinbill - River City Rascals
- Normal CornBelters Game Tonight - Normal CornBelters
- Harry Potter Night Sunday, August 9 - River City Rascals
- Miners Drop Heartbreaker in Extras - Southern Illinois Miners
- Grizzlies Erupt for Big Inning to Ground Aviators - Gateway Grizzlies
- Boomers Sweep CornBelters on Pete Rose Night - Normal CornBelters
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- Crushers lose first, but win second game of twin bill - Lake Erie Crushers
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