CLINTON, Iowa - The Clinton LumberKings (15-12) defeat the Normal CornBelters (11-17) 12-5 on Tuesday night at NelsonCorp Field. Tonight's victory solidified a playoff spot for the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes as they clinch as the 2nd Half Wabash River Champions.
Normal scored first in the top of the third inning on a Tyler Castro two RBI double to take an early 2-0 lead.
Clinton tied the game 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth on two RBI singles by Max Holy and Jeremy Conforti.
The CornBelters would pull ahead in the top of the sixth on a RBI single by Colin Kalinowski. An error by Clinton's right fielder would score a second run on the play and Normal would take a 4-2 lead.
In the bottom of the same inning the LumberKings would score seven runs on a bases clearing double for Jeremy Conforti, followed by a two RBI single by Connor Giusti and a two RBI single by Patrick McGinn to take a 9-4 lead.
Normal would attempt a retaliation in the top of the seventh on a Jackson Chatterton RBI single to cut the lead to 9-5. However, in the bottom of the seventh, Brandon Vlcko would hit a three-run home run to take a 12-5 lead. Vlcko also homered in last night's game two of the doubleheader against the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp.
Clinton's starter, Jimmy Burke, pitched three innings allowing one hit, two runs, all earned, two walks and three strikeouts. Burke would receive a no decision. Drew Dykstra would come in relief for Burke and take his first win of the 2023 season. Dykstra went three innings allowing two hits, two runs, one earned, two walks and one strikeout.
Normal's starter Kayden Althoff would also receive a no decision for his five innings of work. He allowed five hits, four runs, all earned, no walks and strike out six LumberKings. Trey Bryant would come in relief and give up the lead for Normal by allowing two hits, three runs, all earned, with no walks or strikeouts. He failed to record an out against any of the batter's he faced.
The LumberKings are back at home tomorrow for the penultimate home game of the regular season against the Burlington Bees. First pitch set for 6:30 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
GREAT RIVER DIVISION NEWS:
The Quincy Gems traveled to Peru, IL to take on the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp. Quincy would win the game 6-3 and clinch as the 2nd Half Great River Champions. They will play the Clinton LumberKings in a one-game playoff series on Sunday, August 6, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at NelsonCorp Field.
Fans can still purchase playoff tickets at lumberkings.com or at the ticket office at NelsonCorp Field.
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