Miners Make Epic Comeback to Top Normal, Win Series
May 21, 2016 - Frontier League (FL)
Southern Illinois Miners News Release
Marion, Ill. - The Southern Illinois Miners were down 7-1 entering the sixth inning against the Normal CornBelters on Saturday night at The Corn Crib, but an incredible seven-run rally, the entirety of it with two outs, vaulted them ahead and the bullpen made the lead stand up in a 10-8 win to clinch the series.
After a scoreless first three frames, Southern Illinois broke through first on back-to-back two-out doubles by Steve Marino and Brian Portelli, making it 1-0 in the fourth. Normal would then score seven unanswered runs in the next two innings, taking a 3-1 lead on a three-run homer by Aaron Dudley off starter Dyllon Nuernberg in the fourth before plating four more runs in the fifth to take a 7-1 lead and chase Nuernberg. Andrew Potter (1-0) came in and stranded the bases loaded, however, setting the stage for the Miners' epic rally.
With two outs already in the sixth inning against Normal starter Max Homick (1-1), Marino worked a walk followed by a single by Portelli with a throwing error on third baseman Alex Schmidt allowing the runners to reach second and third. Julius Gaines then walked, and Toby DeMello blooped a two-run single to right, making it 7-3.
But the rally would continue- Craig Massey, Francisco Rosario and Nolan Earley hit consecutive RBI singles to draw the Miners within 7-6, finally chasing Homick from the contest. Against reliever Francisco Carrillo, Alex De Leon (who had led off the inning) walked on four pitches to load the bases once again, and pinch-hitter Brendan O'Brien drew another walk to force home the tying run and make it 7-7. On an 0-2 pitch, Marino then singled to put Southern Illinois ahead 8-7, completing the huge inning.
The Miners kept adding on, with single runs in the seventh and ninth on another RBI single by Earley and a sacrifice fly by De Leon, respectively, while Normal was only able to get one more run and two more baserunners after the Southern Illinois comeback. In the ninth, with the tying run at the plate, Zach Cooper froze Dudley and Dillon Haupt on strikes to end the ballgame and notch his second save of the season.
Marino led the way with three hits, including two doubles, while Massey, Rosario, Earley, Portelli and DeMello added two hits apiece. Marino, Gaines and DeMello all scored two runs each, while DeMello and Earley had two RBIs as well in the victory. The Southern Illinois bullpen also shone bright, allowing just two hits in the final four innings of the game to help slam the door and complete the comeback win.
The Miners will look to sweep the CornBelters on Sunday afternoon, with first pitch set for 4:35 p.m. A Southern Illinois starter yet to be determined will face Normal's Jake Negrete.
Frontier League Stories from May 21, 2016
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