Landwehr and Godbold Lead Belters to Series Win
July 9, 2018 - Frontier League (FL)
Normal CornBelters News Release
Normal CornBelters pitcher Jack Landwehr warming up
(Normal CornBelters)
NORMAL, Ill. - The Normal CornBelters (22-26) must have wanted to get the to All-Star break in a hurry, as they played their fastest (2:29) nine-inning ball game of the year at home in a 5-3 series win against the Schaumburg Boomers (26-24) on Sunday night.
"It's (series win) fantastic, our goal is to win every series. Great pitching tonight, we didn't walk anybody. A big hit by Godbold and another big start by Landwehr, six innings, three runs, a quality start and de Marte and Herrera did their thing again. We are kind of right where we want to be, right in the mix and we are looking forward to starting the second half at home," said Manager Billy Horn.
After All-Star Jack Landwehr (3-2) gave up two home runs in the first, he shut down the defending Frontier League Champions for five innings. He didn't allow any walks for the third time this season and lasted six innings in his second straight start. In his last four starts, he has only allowed five earned runs, just four walks and has struck out 22. Landwehr has now won his last three starts and ends the first half with an ERA of 2.86, ranked best among the Normal rotation.
The Normal CornBelters erased a three-run first by the Boomers in the third. Tony Holton who leadoff with a single came all around to score on an error by the Schaumburg first baseman for their first run of the game. On the first pitch he saw, Andrew Godbold gave Normal a 4-3 lead with his seventh home run of the year.
Again Holton started the offense for the Belters with a two-out single in the fourth. The Jackson State product then swiped his fifth bag of the year. For the second straight inning and time, he was brought in off an error from the bat of Sam Vega to go up 5-3.
Horn then turned to his two most trusted arms on the season, Jonathan de Marte and Anthony Herrera who were both appearing for the 23rd time. De Marte finished off the eighth and ninth scoreless. He has not allowed an earned run in his last six outings. After getting the win in the series opener, Herrera threw a perfect ninth to earn his sixth save on the year.
"We are really happy with what we have right now and obviously, we are making some moves and going to bring in some new players over the next couple days for the second half. We are going to gear up and get ready to make a run for the playoffs."
The CornBelters now have four days off as the Frontier League enters the All-Star break. Normal will send Chris Iriart, Justin Fletcher, Santiago Chirino, Tanner Lubach, Derrick Loveless, and Landwehr to the All-Star game on Wednesday. The Belters will take up the majority of the infield as Chirino, Iriart, and Fletcher were selected as starters for the Experienced team along with outfielder Derrick Loveless. Lubach also serves on the Experienced team as a reserve. Landwehr rounds out the six stars as the lone man on the Rookie team. Six players are the second most, just trailing Evansville who had eight players selected.
The next time the Belters are back in action is Friday with a three-game series with the Evansville Otters. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.
Images from this story
 Normal CornBelters pitcher Jack Landwehr warming up |
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Frontier League Stories from July 9, 2018
- Harrison Selected to Compete in Frontier League Home Run Derby - Evansville Otters
- Landwehr and Godbold Lead Belters to Series Win - Normal CornBelters
- Otters' July Promotions Highlighted by German Heritage Night and Princess Night - Evansville Otters
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