Clinton Lumber Kings

NORMAL, Ill. — James Hackett belted a go-ahead three-run homer in the ninth inning, capping a six-run rally as the Clinton LumberKings (20-9, 2-2) surged past the Normal CornBelters (13-6, 1-2) 10-5 on Tuesday at the Corn Crib.

Clinton trailed 4-3 entering the eighth, but tied the game when Kaden Frommelt raced home on a wild pitch. An inning later, Jalen Martinez gave the LumberKings the lead with an RBI double before Frommelt plated another run on a fielder's choice. Hackett broke it open moments later with a towering shot down the left field line, scoring Frommelt and Martinez to make it 9-4.

Hackett finished 2-for-4 with a double, a homer and three RBIs. Frommelt also drove in three runs, going 1-for-4 with a solo homer in the sixth and scoring three times. Martinez added two hits and an RBI.

Brody Meyers allowed four runs across five innings in the start, while Tyler Welch earned the win with two scoreless frames out of the bullpen.

Normal jumped out early with a three-run fourth, highlighted by Caleb Royer's two-run single. Tony Konopiots added a solo homer in the fifth. The CornBelters were held to one run over the final four innings.

On the mound, Brody Meyers got the start, allowing four earned runs on eight hits over five innings while striking out four. Luke Kehrli followed with two scoreless frames and one strikeout. Tyler Welch earned the win in relief, tossing the final two innings without allowing a hit or walk and striking out two.

Starter Nicholas Currie went 5.1 innings for Normal, allowing two runs (one earned) with eight strikeouts. Relievers Zach O'Donnell and Wyatt Mammen combined to give up seven runs in the final frame.

The LumberKings travel to Burlington for a two-game series to end the road trip, starting Wednesday with both games set to start at 6:30 p.m. Fans can watch games live at prospectleaguenetwork.com or listen for free on wcciradio.com or tune in on 100.3 WCCI-FM.