Hoots Walk it Off For Second Straight Night

For the second time in as many nights, the O’Fallon Hoots (8-8) won in their final at-bat. In a 8-7 win over the Normal Cornbelters (8-5), Will Doherty was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force across the winning run. 

Patrick Clohisy was the offensive leader for the Hoots, hitting his second home run of the season, tallying four total hits on the night. Jake McCutcheon added a two hit performance for O’Fallon in the win. 

Anthony Klein was credited the win after 3.1 innings in relief. He allowed one run on three hits, striking out three in relief of Matt James. James threw 5.1 innings, allowing six runs (five earned), walking  four and striking out one. 

O’Fallon got out to a 1-0 on Clohisy’s first hit of the night in the first, a RBI-single scoring Noah Fisher. In the second, Gavin Bennett caught Nolan Sailors stealing but Peyton Meridith came around to score. Ryan Malzahn would hit his first home run of the season in the third, giving the Hoots a 3-1 advantage. 

Down 4-3 in the fifth, Ole Arnston tied the game by driving home Cade Hohl. Later in the inning, Clohisy hit an opposite-field, two-run home run for a 6-4 Hoots lead. Normal would come back to tie the game at six, but a wild pitch in the sixth gave the Hoots a 7-6 lead. Hank Himrich’s solo blast tied the game at seven in the seventh.

Clohisy’s one-out single in the ninth started the rally and McCutcheon would follow with a bunt single. After Connor Milton was intentionally walked, Hoots’ manager Johnathan Mills sent Doherty to the plate to hit for Zak Hartleb. Doherty got plunked in the left elbow for a Hoots’ winner. 

The Hoots return to CarShield Field on Friday to take on the Normal Cornbelters again. First pitch is at 6:35, gates open at 5:35. Friday nigh