Things defeat Normal
Normal, Ill. – Kane Sweeney’s two-run home run put an exclamation point on a six-run, sixth inning for the Wild Things as they defeated Normal 9-6 Thursday night at the Corn Crib.
Alexander Fernandez began the offensive explosion in the sixth inning for Washington with a ground-rule double that scored Kyle Pollock to tie the game at 4-4. Rashad Brown broke that tie with a single to score Fernandez and Kenny Peoples-Wells to give the Things a 6-4 lead.
Normal jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Aaron Dudley homered off Washington starting pitcher Cameron Stanton, who lasted two innings after giving up four runs on three hits.
Aaron Burns (2-0) earned the win after relieving Stanton in the third. Burns allowed three hits in four scoreless innings.
The Cornbelters’ bullpen let them down for the second night in a row, giving up six runs after starter Matt Portland left the game after pitching 2 2/3 innings.
Sixto Torres (0-1) was given the loss for Normal.
Peoples-Walls went 3-for-5 to lead the Wild Things, while Justin Bohn and Sweeney each recorded two hits.