Normal rallies to beat RiverHawks, 6-4
Published on August 5, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Rockford RiverHawks News Release
LOVES PARK, Ill. - The Normal CornBelters rallied for four runs in the top of the eighth inning and held on to beat the Rockford RiverHawks, 6-4, on Friday at Road Ranger Stadium.
The RiverHawks lost leads of 1-0 and 3-1 and took their third loss in their last four games.
Normal leadoff batter Alvaro Ramirez was 3-for-4 and doubled in each of the three innings he started.
Ramirez led off the eighth inning with a double to left field off Rockford starter Brett Scarpetta, who gave up four hits to start the inning. Ramirez went to third base on a wild pitch. Brandon Newton singled him home and Frank Martinez doubled off the wall in right. Steven Alexander doubled home the tying and go-ahead runs and drove Scarpetta (6-4) from the game. Asif Shah greeted reliever Kyle Kriech with a RBI single to extend the lead to 5-3.
The RiverHawks began the bottom of the eighth with back-to-back hits by Jason James and Matt Greener, but Normal closer Marshall Schuler came on and Rockford settled for a run on a Kevin Smith sacrifice fly.
Schuler got the final six outs to earn his seventh save. The RiverHawks left the tying and go-ahead runs on base in the eighth. After the CornBelters picked up a run in the top of the ninth, the RiverHawks stranded runners at the corners to end the game. Rockford left 10 on base, seven in scoring position.
Normal starter Ryan Sheldon held the RiverHawks to three unearned runs on seven hits over seven innings for the win. Sheldon (8-5) struck out eight and walked one.
James was 3-for-5 with a first-inning RBI single and extended his on-base streak to 21 games. He has an eight-game hitting streak.
The series continues at 6:05 p.m. Saturday. Early arrivals 12 and under receive a RiverHawks Youth Glove, sponsored by OSF St. Anthony.
The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league in its 19th season. Advertising and ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit www.rockfordriverhawks.com.
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