RiverHawks edge CornBelters 7-5

05/30/2012 9:43 PM - LOVES PARK, Ill. – The RockFord RiverHawks beat the Normal CornBelters 7-5 on Wednesday night, winning back-to-back games for the first time in the young 2012 season.  The CornBelters held a 4-3 lead into the fifth inning, but the RiverHawks scored four in the fifth to take a commanding 7-4 lead, highlghted by a go-ahead single by Elliot Hagburg and RBI walk by Carlos Luciano.  Rockford starter Ziggie VanderWall (1-0) earned the win on the mound in his professional debut, giving up eight hits and four runs, two earned, and striking out four in five innings of work. “He gave us five strong innings,” manager Rich Austin said. “He did really well for us.” Rockford’s Mike Lee earned his first save of the season, pitching a scoreless ninth.  Normal starter Tyler Stovall did not record an out in the game, as he failed to retire a batter in the first inning. Reliever Jacob Liedka (0-1) took the loss, giving up four runs, three earned, in 1 1/3 innings of work.  The RiverHawks jumped to an early 3-0 lead on Stovall, but Rich Mascheri would come in and get out of a jam to prevent a bigger inning. The CornBelters would score a run in the second, two in the third , and one in the fifth inning to take a 4-3 lead as Hagburg’s throwing error came around to score.    The RiverHawks would respond with four runs in the fifth off of Liedka to take a 7-4 lead. The CornBelters would get one run in the eighth inning off Cliff Archibald, but Lee preserved the win for the RiverHawks . Matt Greener and Javier Herrera would go 3-for-5 for the RiverHawks, and Herrera would  extend his hit streak to seven games and raise his average to .372 on the season. Jet Butler would go 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI for the RiverHawks. The RiverHawks go for the sweep against the CornBelters on Thursday.  First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. 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.