MARION, Ill. – The Normal CornBelters, presented by Illinois Corn Farmers, won their sixth straight game with a 4-3 triumph over the Southern Illinois Miners on Saturday night at Rent One Park.
The Miners scored on the second hitter of the game as Aaron Gates knocked a lead-off triple to right center field followed by a sacrifice fly to deep right by Michael Earley.
The CornBelters countered in the fourth inning as Mark Micowski powered a three-run homer into the right field bullpen for a 3-1 lead. The hit also extended Micowski’s hitting streak to 21 games, setting a new CornBelters record formerly held by Daniel Cox in 2011.
The Belters loaded the bases on an error and two walks in the seventh inning and increased the lead to 4-1 with a sacrifice line drive to center field by Sam Judah that scored McKenna.
Southern Illinois cut the deficit to 4-3 with a pair of eighth-inning runs by loading the bases with two walks and a single followed by a base hit by Joe Rapp and a sacrifice fly to center by Jerrud Sabourin.
Miguel Ramirez (1-5) took the loss in his first outing in nearly a month after returning from the injured list. Victor Beriguete (3-2) worked two innings in relief for the win and Race Parmenter registered the final four outs for his eighth save.
The CornBelters end the road trip with a 5:05 p.m. Sunday contest in Marion as right-hander Kevin Johnson (4-1, 3.67 ERA) starts for Normal against Southern Illinois righty Adam Lopez (5-0, 1.55). Broadcast time on WEZC-FM 95.9 and WJBC.com with a listen link at www.normalbaseball.com is at 4:50.
THE NIBLET: CornBelters full season tickets for the 2015 season are currently on sale! To purchase full season tickets tickets, or for more information, please contact the CornBelters today at (309) 454-2255 (BALL) or stop by The Mid-Illini Credit Union Box Office at The Corn Crib during normal business hours.
