CornBelters drop 3rd straight as Grizzlies end losing streak

Posted on June 11, 2016

Cornbelters fall to the Grizzlies. (CornBelters logo)

By Greg Halbleib

SAUGET, Ill. – The Normal CornBelters, presented by Illinois Corn Farmers, left 14 runners on base and suffered their third straight loss as the Gateway Grizzlies ended a 10-game losing streak, 6-3 on Friday night at GCS Ballpark.

The CornBelters tallied first in the second inning with a one-out rally, a Nolan Meadows single followed by a double to left center by Dillon Haupt with Meadows scoring on a fielder’s choice by Mike Fish. The Grizzlies evened the game in their second inning with singles by Brandon Thomas and Seth Heck, a double steal and a wild pitch. Gateway scored a pair in the fourth inning as Tyler Tewell singled and Thomas walked to lead off the frame followed by a one-out single by Seth Heck to load the bases, with the runs plated when a line drive to the right side of a shifted infield was misplayed for a 3-1 lead.

The Belters cut the deficit to 3-2 in the fifth by loading the bases with two outs and a Meadows single scored Aaron Dudley although a second runner was cut down at the plate on the play. Normal tied the game in the sixth by loading the bases with an error on a ball hit to third by Elijah Trail, a walk to Ty Morris and a single by Santiago Chrino followed by an RBI walk to Dylan Kelly for the 3-3 tie. A 4-6-3 double play with the bases loaded ended the threat.

The Grizzlies regained a 4-3 lead in the sixth as Tewell doubled to lead off, went to third on a fielder’s choice and scored on a single to the left side of a drawn-in infield by Sam Fischer. Two more singles in the inning by Heck and Cody Livesay scored Fischer, and Heck came home on a sacrifice fly to deep center by Logan Davis to give the hosts a 6-3 lead.

Nate Carter (2-2) picked up the win with an inning of relief. Eddie Cody (1-1) worked 5 1/3 innings and took the loss, giving up six runs (four earned) on 12 hits with one walk and four strikeouts. JaVaun West recorded the final out for his fifth save.

The series continues Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at GCS Ballpark as the CornBelters give the ball to right-hander Chris Carmain (0-3, 5.51 ERA) while the Grizzlies counter with right-hander Dakota Smith (0-1, 4.97). Broadcast time on WJBC.com is 6:50 p.m. The series and road trip concludes on Sunday before the Belters host the River City Rascals Tuesday through Thursday.

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