Normal staves off Washington, defeats Things on walk-off single
NORMAL, Ill. — Conner Simonetti’s game-tying moonshot in the top of the ninth was all for naught.
Simonetti hit a solo home run to lead off the ninth inning to give the Wild Things new life, tying the game against the Normal CornBelters.
But Andrew Godbold’s single to right field scored Justin Fletcher in the bottom of the ninth inning as Normal defeated the Wild Things 6-5 in a Frontier League game Thursday night.
Wild Things all-star closer Zach Strecker (3-3) was tagged with the loss. It is his second blown save of the week. Despite allowing the home run to Simonetti, CornBelters releiver Anthony Herrera (6-3) was the winning pitcher.
Normal took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Santiago Chirino singled home James Davison Jr.
Chirino hitting singles was a theme of the night, as the shortstop was 5-for-5 with five singles to bring his batting average up to .349.
Washington didn’t get on the scoreboard off Normal starter Jacinto Garcia until the sixth inning, when the Wild Things put up three runs with two outs. James Harris led off the inning with a double, and Roman Collins walked with two outs. Kyle Pollock, Reydel Medina and Hector Roa all singled to take a 3-1 lead.
Garcia allowed seven hits and three runs in six innings. He walked one and struck out three.
Washington starter Thomas Dorminy allowed nine hits and five runs (four earned) in 6? innings. He walked two and struck out six.
The Wild Things tied the game in the top of the seventh when Carter McEachern singled to score Brett Marr. The CornBelters responded in the bottom frame, taking the one-run lead after Chirino singled home Davison.