by Greg Halbleib
NORMAL, Ill. – The Normal CornBelters, presented by Illinois Corn Farmers, used early offense to capture a 7-5 win over the Windy City ThunderBolts on Saturday night at the Corn Crib.
The CornBelters immediately attacked ThunderBolts starter Ryan Strombom with a single by Ty Morris and a two-run homer by Dylan Kelly to the right field lawn for a quick 2-0 lead two hitters into the game.
The ThunderBolts picked up a run in the second inning by loading the bases and scoring Cody Keefer from third base when a shallow fly ball to left field was muffed.
The Belters earned the run right back on the first pitch of the second inning, which was deposited on the right field lawn by R.J. Perucki for a 3-1 Normal lead.
The CornBelters plated two more runs in the fourth inning when Mike Fish walked and Ty Morris was hit by a pitch after two were out followed by RBI singles from Kelly and Aaron Dudley.
The Bolts cut the deficit to 5-3 in the fifth inning on a line drive two-run homer to left field by Coco Johnson, then sliced the Normal lead to 5-4 later in the frame on a fielder’s choice grounder by Blair Beck.
The Belters added cushion with a solo home run to right center by Nolan Meadows in the fifth inning, followed by an RBI single by Morris in the next frame for a 7-4 advantage.
The ThunderBolts cut the deficit to a pair of runs with a solo ninth-inning home run by Kevin Barker but could get no closer.
Horatio Acosta (1-0) faced the minimum six hitters in his two innings of relief for the win. Ryan Strombom (2-1) took the loss with five innings of work, giving up five runs (earned) on nine hits with two walks and one strikeout. Race Parmenter worked the ninth inning for his third save of the season and 25th as a CornBelter to set a career franchise saves record.
The series and home stand concludes Sunday with a 4:35 p.m. first pitch at the Corn Crib as the Belters send right-hander Chris Carmain (0-3, 6.28 ERA) to the mound while the Wild Things counter with righty Mitchell Cody (0-0, 2.07). Broadcast time on WJBC.com is 4:20. Heartland Bank and Trust Family Fun Day features a $40 family pack with four box seats, four hot dogs and four drinks.
