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Normal, Ill. – Craig LePre delivered a walkoff single in the tenth inning as the Gateway Grizzlies fell to the Normal CornBelters 4-3 on Tuesday night at the Corn Crib.
With the game tied at 3-3 in the tenth, RHP Will LaMarche struggled as the CornBelters (21-25) loaded the bases with nobody out. LePre then hit a ground ball up the middle of the diamond to score the winning run.
The Grizzlies (25-23) trailed most of the evening and faced a 3-0 deficit in the eighth inning, when they finally mounted a rally against Carmain and Normal’s bullpen
Tyler Tewell started the frame with a single while Ben Waldrip collected a single of his own to put two runners on with one out. Josh Bunselmeyer then hit a ground ball to Normal second baseman Michael Skoller. Skoller shuffled to his left while spinning and throwing towards second, but his throw went wide of the bag and rolled down the left field line. A pair of runs came into score and the Grizzlies trailed 3-2.
RHP Francisco Carrillo came in and walked Sam Fischer on four pitches. After a fly out, Carrillo walked two batters in a row to bring in the tying run. RHP Race Parmenter (3-1) replaced Carrillo and kept the game tied, ultimately picking up a win while throwing 2.1 scoreless innings.
Grizzlies lefty Corey Kimes started the game and delivered a quality outing. The Ottawa, Ill. native tossed six frames while giving up three runs and striking out six batters.
RHP Jon Pusateri threw two scoreless innings out of Gateway’s bullpen while RHP Jordan Wellander provided a scoreless ninth.
The Grizzlies will try to even the series tomorrow evening at the Corn Crib. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m. RHP Adam Eggnatz takes the mound for Gateway.
The game can be heard on the Grizzlies Radio Network, which airs Wednesday on 1400 AM KJFF and online at www.GatewayGrizzlies.com/Radio
