CornBelters fall in close game with Rascals

Posted on June 14, 2015

PatMcKennaBy WJBC Staff

O’FALLON- The Normal CornBelters, presented by Illinois Corn Farmers, lost a heartbreaker as the River City Rascals came from behind to capture an 8-7 win in 10 innings at T.R. Hughes Ballpark on Saturday night.

Both teams were productive in their first at-bats. The CornBelters rapped four straight hits with two outs and scored twice on a single by Richard Lucas and a double by Sam Judah, but the Rascals answered with three straight hits to start their attack with Curran Redal scoring on a single plus an error to left by Josh Ludy to cut the Belters lead to 2-1.

The Belters added a run in the second after a lead-off walk to Jason Merjano, who advanced to third on a walk and a single, then scored on a foul out down the right field line by Pat McKenna for a 3-1 advantage. A lead-off third inning home run to the left field bleachers by Lucas extended the lead to 4-1.

The Rascals plated two more in the third on a single by Hector Crespo and a fielder’s choice by Zach Kometani, but Cameron Monger led off the fourth inning with a home run just over the left field wall for a 5-3 Normal lead.

River City cut the margin to 5-4 with a one-out home run to left center by Johnny Morales in the sixth inning, but the game was halted due to the threat of rain for 1:28 before the seventh inning began.

The CornBelters added insurance in the eighth when Monger doubled home Merjano with two outs.

The Rascals grabbed a 7-6 lead in the eighth inning on a bases-loaded-and-clearing double by Jackson Slaid, but Pat McKenna homered into the right center field bullpen to lead off the ninth to even the score at 7-7.

The CornBelters loaded the bases with one out in the extra frame but failed to score as the Rascals turned a double play to get out of the frame. The Rascals captured the win when Josh Silver singled with one out, went to second on a fielder’s choice and came home on a line single to center by Curran Redal.

Zeb Sneed (2-0) captured the win while Race Parmenter (0-1) pitched the final three innings and took the loss.

The road trip concludes with a 4:05 p.m. Sunday first pitch in O’Fallon as the Belters send right-hander Mike Schweiss (2-2, 3.98 ERA) to the bump against righty Lucas Laster in his Rascals debut. Broadcast time on WEZC-FM 95.9 and WJBC.com is 3:50

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