By Greg Halblieb
JOLIET- The Normal CornBelters used a big fourth inning on the way to their sixth straight victory, 11-5 over the Joliet Slammers on Wednesday afternoon at Silver Cross Field.
The CornBelters began the scoring with a four-run fourth inning on a two-RBI single from Nolan Meadows, a sacrifice fly by Craig Lepre and a run-scoring base hit by Elvin Rodriguez. Lepre added a solo home run to right field in the sixth frame to extend the advantage to 5-0.
The Slammers cracked the scoreboard in the sixth inning with a two-run single by Sikes Orvis to cut their deficit to 5-2.
The Belters added three more tallies in the seventh inning to increase the lead to 8-2 on a bases-loaded-and-clearing double to left center by Dylan Kelly. A three-run homer to right center by Meadows in the ninth inning set the final Belters total.
The Slammers scored three times in the ninth including a two-run homer by Zarley Zalewski for the final scoring.
Charlie Gillies (4-1) earned the win with six and one-third innings of work, giving up two earned runs on nine hits with two walks and five strikeouts. Spencer Medick (6-3) sustained the loss with six innings on six hits with five runs (earned), three walks and four strikeouts.
The series concludes Thursday evening with a 7:05 first pitch as CornBelters righthander Mike Schweiss (6-4, 2.71 ERA) starts on the mound against Joliet lefty Sean Townsley (4-5, 4.36). The game can be heard live on WJBC-AM 1230 and WJBC.com beginning at 6:50.
