The Miners ended their six-game home stand on the right note as they defeated the CornBelters 9-2 to take the series two games to one. The Miners are now 43-35 on the regular season. John Colella earned his second victory as he pitched 1 2/3 innings in relief after starter Travis Bradshaw left the game through 4 1/3 innings. He allowed two runs with two walks and six hits.
Normal scored two runs off Miners starter Travis Bradshaw in the top of the fifth inning to take a 2-0 lead. Jereme Milons gave the Miners a 3-2 lead with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning as he hit a bases-clearing triple off CornBelters starter Tyler Lavigne. Southern Illinois scored six more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to take a 9-2 lead.
Danny Hernandez reached second base on a two-base error by CornBelters outfielder Aaron Dudley. Phil Butler was hit by a pitch by Lavigne and Andrew Cohn hit a RBI single. Lavigne left the game and CornBelters reliever Mitch Mormann entered the game. Cory Harrilchak, Jon Eisen and Carlos Mendez hit consecutive RBI singles in a row off Mormann. In the next at-bat Milons walked and Steven Liddle followed with a strikeout. Jason Ganek capped off the inning with a two RBI single off Mormann.
Kyle Wahl, Ronald Uviedo and Wes Alsup all pitched scoreless innings in relief.
The Miners will hit the road as they head to Silver Cross Field to take on the Joliet Slammers beginning on Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm. Mike Ventola will have the call on the Miners Radio Network and southernillinoisminers.com beginning at 6:45 with the Heartland Regional Medical Center Pregame Show.
