O’Fallon, MO – The night was looking rough for the O’Fallon Hoots after they trailed 1-0 in Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Normal CornBelters. A three-run sixth inning provided a boost to the Hoots, though, and a 3-1 win to split the doubleheader against the CornBelters Saturday.
In Game 1, the Hoots led by five runs late into the game. Normal put up four runs in the sixth inning and five runs in the seventh inning to pounce on the Hoots and win 10-6. Three CornBelters hit home runs in the game (Ben Voegele, Jackson Stanek and Max Heineman).
After a disappointing result, the Hoots stole Game 2 with a powerful sixth inning. Down one run, shortstop Samuel Paule scored on a wild pitch. Then, infielder John Connors hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Oral Roberts commit Tyler Macon. To finish the job, MVP candidate Nick Bonczkowski hit a solo home run to left field to make the score 3-1.
Left-hander Mason Lee earned a save in Game 2. Hoots starter Tanner Sullivan pitched six innings and allowed just one CornBelter to score in the second game.
The Hoots play on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. O’Fallon will play a road game against the Decatur Bean Ballers at Workman Family Baseball Field.
