FL Normal CornBelters

Normal Drops Game One, Joliet Walks It off in Series Finale

Published on July 6, 2018 under Frontier League (FL)
Normal CornBelters News Release


NORMAL, Ill. - The Normal CornBelters (20-25) resumed played after yesterday's game was suspended and fell 11-0 to the Joliet Slammers (27-21), then in the series finale, they dropped a heartbreaker 1-0 in extras.

Game 1:

Both teams resumed yesterday's suspended game after two complete innings. Nick Bozman originally started game two of the series and threw two shutout innings in his first career start as a CornBelter.

Tyler Frohwirth (0-1) was the first pitcher out of the bullpen and the recently acquired sidearmer had trouble with his command. He went on to walk three batters and allowed six earned runs to come across in his one inning of work to record the loss.

In the fourth, Normal turned to Trevor Simms who was the lone bright spot for the CornBelters as they only salvaged three hits. The former Tulane football and baseball player went on to set season highs in innings (4) and strikeouts (9). The Slammers added two more runs off of Simms to take an 8-0 lead.

"He (Simms) threw the ball well and unfortunately the score was out of hand and we didn't want him to come in that early since we only had nine pitchers on the road trip, " said Manager Billy Horn. "He looked good and threw a lot of first-pitch strikes, got ahead and got a lot of strikeouts, which is great. It looks like he is finding his groove and hopefully, he can continue that in the second half."

Making his second pitching appearance of the season, Sam Vega finished off the ninth. He picked up his first professional strikeout in the outing as Joliet put up three more runs to go up 11-0 and take game one.

Game 2:

Coming off his worst start of the year, Jacinto Garcia bounced back and threw his best start. The first year Belter threw a career high in innings (7) tonight and didn't allow his first hit until a one-out single in the fifth. Garcia picked up three strikeouts to add to his total of 25. His ninth start was highlighted by a double play that ended a bases-loaded threat in the seventh to force extra innings and earn a no-decision.

"It's great for him (Garcia), he pitched really well. It was funny, early on he got behind in some counts and got a couple walks, but he is always pitched better with runners on base and in scoring position, and he did that tonight even in the seventh. Had bases load, one out and got a big double play, he did everything he could to give us a chance to win the game, but unfortunately, we came up short tonight."

The Normal CornBelters didn't have a baserunner or even a hit until Derrick Loveless knocked a two-out single in the seventh inning, which was the last inning due to it being a doubleheader tonight.

In extras, Normal threatened right away. Joel Davis roped a one-out double that was followed by a Chris Iriart single to put runners on the corners in the eighth. However, Joliet rolled a 1-6-3 double play to end the CornBelters best chance of the winning the game.

Again Tanner Lubach shinned behind the dish in his return. He threw out his fourth base runner of the series to end the eighth and continue extras.

The Slammers loaded the bases in the ninth and scored the winning run on a wide throw home by Hidekel Abreu to take the series.

The CornBelters return for the final home series before the All-Star break against the Schaumburg Boomers who Normal will play for the first time this season. Game one will be on Friday at 7:05 p.m. and the first 500 fans will receive a Derrek Lee bobblehead.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Frontier League Stories from July 6, 2018


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central