The Normal CornBelters were able to secure a 5-4 walk-off win over the Burlington
Bees Tuesday night to snap their three-game losing streak thanks to a RBI single from
Zach Bava that brought home Ryan Colucci for the winning run.
The game started off all CornBelters, as Cole Jones got the scoring started with a bang
via a towering home run to right field to give the ‘Belters an early lead. They added onto
that with an RBI single from Jack Novak and Cal Royer coming across to score after
Novak was caught stealing and thrown out at second base.
However, the Bees would not go down quietly, as they rode a huge top of the fourth
inning to take a 4-3 lead. The scoring run was kickstarted by Jace Figuereo’s RBI
single, and Colin Schmitke scored on a passed ball.
Cole Yearsley then got his bat going for Burlington by knocking through an RBI single to
tie the game at three. Caleb Klein then crossed home plate thanks to a CornBelter error,
the only error from either side all game.
Novak continued to bring in runs as he scored on a fielder’s choice that was brought in
by Michael Kuska, tying the game up once again. It would stay knotted at four runs
apiece before Zach Bava’s aforementioned RBI single that won the game for the
CornBelters.
It was a solid showing offensively for both teams in this one as the CornBelters racked
up ten hits and the Bees tacked on nine. The CornBelters committed the only error in
the game, and they managed to secure the victory despite going 2-for-11 with runners in
scoring position.
Cal Royer and Jack Novak were tied for the team lead for hits in this one, as they each
tallied two. Starting pitcher Nicholas Currie gave up seven hits and three earned runs in
3.2 innings of play but also retired four Burlington batters. Isaac Graf and Brady Banker
entered in relief and combined to strike out five Bees hitters while only giving up a
combined two hits and zero earned runs.
With this victory, the CornBelters notched their first win over the Bees in the 2025
season. The CornBelters will improve to 6-13 in the second half of the season and 18-
27 overall. The Bees will fall to 13-7 in the second half and 25-21 overall.
The CornBelters will look to keep the momentum going when they welcome the
Springfield Lucky Horseshoes to the Corn Crib Thursday. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
CT.
Go ‘Belters!

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