NORMAL, Ill. – The Normal CornBelters, presented by Illinois Corn Farmers, used an explosive offense to support a complete-game two-hitter from Chris Carmain to defeat the Frontier Greys 10-1 on Saturday night at the Corn Crib.
The CornBelters opened the scoring in the first inning for the second straight night by loading the bases and scoring a run on a sacrifice fly to center field by Pat McKenna.
The Belters extended the lead in the third inning by again loading the bases and scoring one on an infield single by Sam Judah, then plating McKenna on a wild pitch followed by a two-run single to left center by Tyler Shover for a 5-0 advantage.
After batting around in the third, the Belters sent eight men to the plate in the fourth and built the lead to 8-0 on a three-run homer to left by Richard Lucas.
Belters starter Chris Carmain (6-2) was perfect through four and one-third innings, but the first Greys hit left the yard as Dillon Haupt homered high onto the left field lawn to cut the deficit to 8-1.
The CornBelters scored the final tallies in the eighth by loading the bases and scoring a pair of runs on a double play and a wild pitch.
Carmain twirled his third complete game of the season, Bobby Shore (5-7) lasted three and two-thirds innings and took the loss.
The CornBelters (51-32) remain on top of the Frontier League West Division by four games over the River City Rascals with 13 games remaining.
The series concludes at the Corn Crib at 3:05 p.m. Sunday as right-hander Robert Baroniel (2-3, 3.71 ERA) starts on the mound for Normal. The broadcast on WEZC-FM 95.9 and WJBC.com begins at 2:50 p.m. with listen links found on Facebook, Twitter (@normal_baseball) and www.normalbaseball.com.
THE NIBLET: The CornBelters host Anna Jack, world-famous acrobat and hula hoop artist, Sunday afternoon for the series finale against the Frontier Greys! For tickets or for more information, please contact the CornBelters today at (309) 454-2255 (BALL) or stop by The Mid-Illini Credit Union Box Office at The Corn Crib during normal business hours.
