By Greg Halbleib
MARION – The Normal CornBelters ended a six-game winning streak with a 2-1 loss on Sunday to the Southern Illinois Miners at Rent One Park.
The Miners struck immediately as Aaron Gates led off the hosts’ attack with a home run, but despite four first inning hits the Belters trailed only 1-0 after the opening frame.
The CornBelters evened the score at 1-1 in the third inning when Mark Micowski extended his club-record hitting streak to 22 games with a double, went to third on a fielder’s choice and scored on a single by Richard Lucas with two outs.
Southern Illinois (28-17, T-2nd Frontier League East) regained the lead at 2-1 in the third with a two-out rally consisting of a double by Niko Vasquez and an RBI single to center by Frank Martinez.
The CornBelters left 10 runners on base, six in scoring position. Adam Lopez (6-0) worked seven innings for the win, giving up seven hits and one run with two walks and four strikeouts. Pete Perez retired the Belters in order in the ninth inning for his fifth save. Kevin Johnson (4-2) took the loss with nine hits, four walks and no strikeouts.
The CornBelters (27-18, 2nd Frontier League West) take Monday off before beginning a big six-game home stand on Tuesday starting with a 6:35 p.m. first pitch against the Schaumburg Boomers. Right-hander Mike Schweiss (3-5, 3.26 ERA) starts for the Belters against Boomers rookie lefty Scotty Ward (1-0, 1.00). Broadcast time on WJBC.com is 6:20.
