Otters Jump out Early, Hold off Rally to Defeat CornBelters
Published on August 2, 2017 under Frontier League (FL)
Normal CornBelters News Release
NORMAL, Ill. - The Normal CornBelters, presented by Illinois Corn Farmers, rallied but could not overcome an early six-run deficit in a 7-6 loss in 10 innings to the Evansville Otters on Tuesday night at the Corn Crib.
The Otters took advantage of early wildness, putting the game's first five batters on base with three walks and two hits, scoring twice on bases-loaded walks to Jeff Gardner and John Schultz, but a strikeout and a double play mitigated the damage.
More errant deliveries turned into four more Otters runs in the third inning as the first three hitters singled with two runs driven in by Gardner on the third of those hits, with additional runs driven in by a Brandon Soat double and a Kolten Yamaguchi fielder's choice for a 6-0 lead. CornBelters starter Sixto Torres lasted only two and one-third innings, giving up six earned runs on five hits with four walks and two strikeouts.
The CornBelters dented the scoreboard in the fourth inning as Aaron Dudley led off with a double, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jesus Solorzano. Diego Cedeno hit a stand-up triple to right center field to score Nolan Meadows later in the frame to cut the deficit to 6-2.
The Belters sliced more off the Otter lead in the sixth inning as Solorzano drove in Dudley with a double to straightaway center field and Cedeno knocked in Meadows with a bouncing single over a drawn-in infield to cut the deficit to 6-5.
The CornBelters sent the game to extra innings when Cedeno led off the ninth with a walk, stole second and took third on a throwing error and scored on a base hit by Justin Fletcher for a 6-6 tie.
Josh Allen put the Otters ahead to stay on the first pitch of the 10th inning from Francisco Carillo (1-3), sending it over the left field fence.
The Belters sent pinch-runner Ty Morris to third base with one out in their 10th inning, but stranded him with a strikeout and pop-out.
Randy McCurry (3-1) worked the final two innings and picked up the win despite a blown save.
The series continues Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. as the Otters send lefty Hunter Ackerman (7-3, 5.08 ERA) to the mound. The Belters have not announced Wednesday's starter. Wednesday is Suicide Prevention/Mental Health Awareness Night as the CornBelters partner with Brad's Ride to Freedom in a fundraising and awareness event. The game is live on WJBC.com at 6:20 with listen links found on the Belters' Facebook and Twitter (@Normal_Baseball) feeds and at www.normalbaseball.com .
Frontier League Stories from August 2, 2017
- Laster, Freeman Helps Rascals Down First Place Team - River City Rascals
- Otters Jump out Early, Hold off Rally to Defeat CornBelters - Normal CornBelters
- ThunderBolts Succumb to Joliet in Game One - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Eighth Inning Errors Lead to Bums Loss - Traverse City Beach Bums
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