LOVES PARK, Ill. – Normal’s Drew Provence pitched seven innings of one-run ball Thursday night, and the CornBelters capitalized on a key Rockford blunder to pick up a 4-1 win over the RiverHawks at RiverHawks Stadium.
Provence (2-1) allowed eight hits and struck out seven Rockford batters in the game. The RiverHawks loaded the bases with one out in the fifth inning, but Provence got Michael Hur to bounce into an inning-ending double play to keep the visitors up 3-1. Rockford stranded nine runners, six in scoring position, in the game.
Normal scored three times in the second inning off Rockford’s Ziggie VanderWall. VanderWall walked Sam Judah and J.B. Brown singled to start the inning, and Bubby Williams followed by laying down a bunt, and VanderWall’s throw to first baseman Evan Button tipped off his glove for a single and an error on Button, allowing Judah to score to give Normal a 1-0 lead. Bobby Rinard hit a two-out, two-run single to extend the lead to 3-0.
VanderWall (5-4) was saddled with the loss, giving up three runs in six innings while striking out six.
CornBelters’ closer Rich Mascheri ran into trouble early in the ninth as Brandon Anderson doubled and Greg Van Horn was hit by a pitch, but Justino Cuevas hit into a 5-4-3 double play. Mascheri got Ted Obregon to ground out to end the game and pick up his eighth save.
Javier Herrera went 3-for-4 with an RBI for Rockford, and Brandon Anderson went 3-for-3. Newly-acquired infielder Cuevas went 2-for-4 with a run scored in his RiverHawks debut.
The series concludes Friday as Normal sends Tyler Lavigne (4-5, 4.76 ERA) to the mound, and Rockford will counter with Brad Schnitzer (0-1, 12.46 ERA).
Friday is Drawstring Backpack Giveaway, sponsored by Metro Medical. The first 1000 fans through the gate get a complimentary backpack.
The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, an independent professional baseball league in its 20th season. Games are broadcast on NTA-FM (100.5) Advertising and ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit www.rockfordriverhawks.com.
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