By Greg Halbleib
NORMAL, Ill. – The Normal CornBelters, presented by Illinois Corn Farmers, received back-to-back home runs by Aaron Dudley and Dillon Haupt in the ninth inning to record a come-from-behind 3-2 win over the Gateway Grizzlies on Saturday night at GCS Ballpark.
The Grizzlies took advantage of a lead-off walk to Blake Brown to score the game’s first run in the second inning, with consecutive two-out singles by Sam Fischer and Seth Heck responsible for the tally.
Heck provided the Grizzlies’ second RBI in the fourth inning when he drove home Brandon Thomas, who reached on a one-out double to the left field corner and took third on a fielder’s choice.
The CornBelters used a two-out rally in the sixth inning to break onto the scoreboard trailing 2-1 as Haupt singled home Santiago Chirino, although the Grizzlies cut down Dudley at the plate trying to also score on the play.
The Belters struck out 13 times in the contest, but with one out, Dudley homered deep to the right field lawn followed by Haupt’s opposite-field drive just inside the right field pole for the game’s final score.
Chris Carmain (1-3) earned his first victory with eight innings of eight-hit ball, walking one and striking out five while giving up two runs (earned). JaVaun West (0-2) suffered the loss and blown save. Race Parmenter pitched the ninth inning for his first save, despite allowing two singles and the potential winning run aboard. Dakota Smith struck out 11 CornBelters in his seven innings with one walk and five hits in a no-decision.
The series and road trip concludes with a 6:05 p.m. first pitch on Sunday at GCS Ballpark as the Grizzlies are scheduled to start right-hander Will Landsheft (1-2, 3.60 ERA) on the mound. The CornBelters starter has not been determined. The game can be heard on WJBC.com at 6:50. The Belters return to the Corn Crib for a three-game series against the River City Rascals on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
