The Normal Cornbelters rallied for four runs in the top of the ninth inning to beat the Evansville Otters 7-5 in front of 1,780 at Bosse Field Thursday.
With the game tied at 3-3 entering the inning, Santiago Chirino’s RBI single with two outs gave Normal a 4-3 lead before Aaron Dudley’s two-run RBI double scored Yeixon Ruiz and Chirino. Jesus Solorzano’s RBI single made the score 7-3.
Evansville mounted a comeback effort in the bottom half of the inning as Jeff Gardner hit an RBI single and John Schultz hit a sacrifice fly, pulling the Otters to within two runs but Chad Gendron got Zach Welz to ground out to end the game.
Normal scored first in the opening frame on a Justin Fletcher bases-loaded hit by pitch.
Miguel Torres scored on a Ruiz sacrifice fly to extend the Cornbelter lead to 2-0, which was followed by a Shane Weedman throwing error.
Ruiz advanced to third on a single by Chirino and would later score on a Dudley RBI double.
The Otters cut into the 3-0 deficit with a run in the second as Schultz scored on a Christopher Riopedre RBI single. Evansville made it a one-run contest in the sixth as a Kolten Yamaguchi sacrifice fly allowed Gardner to score, making the Normal lead 3-2.
In the seventh with two runners on, Gardner grounded into a fielder’s choice, which allowed Allen to score to tie the game.
Shane Weedman lasted 1 1/3 innings for Evansville as he allowing three runs-two earned and four walks. Brandon Cook tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings and gave up three hits.
Normal starting pitcher Matt Portland surrendered two runs on three hits while walking six batters. Jonathan De Marte earned the victory in relief, pitching 1 1/3 innings while allowing two earned runs off three hits. Gendron earned the save, pitching a scoreless ninth.
The Otters hit the road this weekend starting a three-game series on Friday at the Southern Illinois Miners. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Evansville returns home to Bosse Field on Tuesday to face the Normal Cornbelters. Tuesday is D.A.R.E Night and $2 Tuesday with select concession items $2.
Fans can listen to all three games at Southern Illinois on 91.5 FM WUEV. Lucas Corley (play-by-play) will provide broadcast coverage.
Tickets for August 29-31 are still available by going to evansvilleotters.com or calling 812-435-8686.
