The Normal CornBelters split Tuesday’s doubleheader

Written by: Evan Schmeizer

Normal, IL: The Normal CornBelters split Tuesday’s doubleheader with the two-time
defending Prospect League Champion Chillicothe Paints. The two best
offenses in the league struggled to string hits together for most of
the evening. The 5-0 loss in game one snapped the CornBelters’ 10-game
home win streak. It was Normal’s first home loss since June 9. The
CornBelters rebounded to win game two 3-1.

Game One

The Paints scored two runs in the first with a double from Waskar
Martinez and Clay Burdette had an infield hit to shortstop. Cole Raile
had a two-run single in the fourth to make it 5-0. Zach Courson did
not have his best start for Normal on the mound. He went the first
four innings. He allowed five earned runs on six hits, he walked and
hit a combined five Paints hitters while he struck out three. Four of
the five runs Courson allowed came after free passes. On the other
side, Carter White was almost untouchable on the mound for
Chillicothe. He went the first 5.2 shutout innings. He struck out
eight CornBelters and walked three. Noah Shapo recorded the final four
outs for the Paints.

Game Two

Slater Wilcox for Normal and Mikey Olivieri for Chillicothe each
walked two guys in the first and they led to single runs. Judah Morris
launched a no-doubt solo home run to left in the third to give the
CornBelters a 2-1 lead. Slater Wilcox battled through four innings
allowing three hits and three walks. Tyler Altenbaumer, Zach O’Donnell
and Toby Schriefer-who picked up the save-each tossed a scoreless
inning out of the bullpen. They were part of six shutout innings from
CornBelter relief pitching. Will Jesske doubled to left field on a
misplay to plate an insurance run for the CornBelters in the sixth.

Up Next: The CornBelters have a scheduled day off Wednesday before
they welcome the Johnstown Mill Rats for a two-game series as Normal
quickly enters the final two weeks of the regular season.