The Normal CornBelters (10-4) jumped out to an early lead on the Florence Freedom (6-8) and captured an 18-4 victory on Saturday at UC Health Stadium.
Twelve runs in the first three innings allowed the Normal CornBelters to put the game away early.
An RBI single by Mark Micowski, an RBI double by Sam Judah, an RBI single by Richard Lucas, and a two-run double by Santiago Chirino during the first inning and a two-run single by Judah, an RBI double by Lucas, and a three-run home run by Ozney Guillen in the second inning fueled the Normal CornBelters’ offense early.
Lucas racked up five RBIs on five hits for the Normal CornBelters.
The Florence Freedom had no answer for Stephen Frey, who kept runners off the basepaths in his appearance. The Florence Freedom managed just two hits off of Frey, who allowed one earned run, walked one and struck out seven during his four innings of work.
Pitcher Alan Carey allowed 11 runs in 1 1/3 innings, walked four and struck out none in a losing effort.
The Normal CornBelters easily handled the Florence Freedom pitching as six hitters combined for 14 hits, 19 RBIs and 13 runs scored.
