By WJBC Staff
NORMAL – The Normal CornBelters won the opener of a midweek series over the Gateway Grizzlies 3-1 on Tuesday night at the Corn Crib.
The CornBelters struck first with a fourth-inning tally as Aaron Dudley led off with a single and was plated by a base hit up the middle by R.J. Perucki.
Dudley added insurance by leading off the eighth inning with a home run just over the right field fence. A fielder’s choice by Ty Morris scored Dylan Kelly from third base for the final Belters tally.
The Grizzlies finally dented the scoreboard in the ninth inning with a two-out RBI single by Ben Waldrip but left the potentially tying runs on base at the end of the game.
Max Homick (3-3) earned the win with six and one-third shutout innings, giving up three hits with two walks and five strikeouts. Vince Molesky (2-2) took the loss over seven innings with one earned run on six hits with no walks and eight strikeouts. Francisco Carillo pitched the final two innings for his second save.
The series continues Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. at the Corn Crib as lefty Corey Kimes (2-2, 4.91 ERA) starts on the mound for the Grizzlies. The Belters starter has yet to be named. Broadcast time on WJBC.com is 6:20.
