SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – The Champion City Kings (4-7) hosted the Normal CornBelters (5-8) for the first of two matchups at Carleton Davidson Stadium on Tuesday (June 11).
The Kings used a big seventh inning run to pull ahead and snap a two-game slide with an 8-3 win over the CornBelters out of the Central Division.
Champion City started off strong in the first inning with a pair of runs scored to lead 2-0. Louis Florida (Wilmette, Illinois / DePauw) walked and Salvador Diaz (Norwalk, California / Gallaudet) singled with one out. A passed ball moved both runners into scoring position before Will Balgo (St. Clairsville, Ohio / West Liberty) lined a two-run, broken bat single to left field.
Normal got one run back in the second inning off of a leadoff homer and left the bases loaded, trailing 2-1.
The Kings got another run in the fifth inning against the CornBelters’ bullpen. Diaz was hit with two outs while Lucas Day (Dayton, Ohio / Oakland) singled. Balgo struck again with a RBI double to the right center field wall, scoring Diaz. Champion City led 3-1 after five frames.
Two Normal runs in the seventh inning tied the game, including a leadoff home run. With the seventh inning stretch coming, Champion City was in a 3-3 deadlock with the visitors. The Kings wasted little time with regaining the lead and taking control of the game.
Florida led off with a double and got to third on a passed ball. Day walked, forcing Normal to make a pitching change. A wild pitch allowed Day to get to second base. Two batters later, Ray Hawkins (Miamisburg, Ohio / Palm Beach Atlantic) doubled both home on a rocket off the left field wall. Jacob Baller (Poplar Bluff, Missouri / Three Rivers College) became another hit by pitch casuality before Johnny Costella (Cleveland, Ohio / Notre Dame College) lined a two-run double down the left field line. Costella later stole third base and scored when the return throw sailed into left field. A five-run seventh inning put Champion City ahead 8-3.
With 13 hits in the game, Champion City set a season-high. Florida and Hawkins each had three hits, both with a double. Braylen Blomquist (St. Clairsville, Ohio / Wright State) singled twice while Balgo had two hits with three runs batted in. Florida and Diaz crossed the plate twice. In the game, Champion City was hit four times by Normal pitchers, extending their Prospect League lead with 29 hit by pitches.
Tristan Harley (Tallahassee, Florida / Embry-Riddle) grinded through five innings, scattering one run on seven hits. He walked two and struck out four. Luke Swanger (Lebanon, Ohio / Cedarville) gave up two runs (one earned) in two innings as he improved to 1-1. Joe Stone (Waynesville, Ohio / Thomas More) closed the door with two shutout innings with two strikeouts.
The series continues on Wednesday (June 12) with a 6:35 PM start at Carleton Davidson Stadium. Fans can enjoy buy one, get one hotdogs at the ballpark. If you can’t make the game, join Tyler Stotsky on the call with Prospect League TV.