CLINTON, Iowa- The Clinton LumberKings (0-1) opened up the 2023 season at NelsonCorp Field losing to the Normal CornBelters (1-0) by a final score of 7-6 in 10 innings in front of a crowd of 2,003 fans.

Clinton's starter, RHP Jimmy Burke (0-0, 0.00) had a quality start allowing 3 hits, no runs, one walk and punching out seven batters in five innings.

Every batter, with the exception of Will Stark, who exited the game in the top of the 3rd inning; recorded a hit.

The LumberKings scored first in the bottom of the first courtesy of Max Holy, RBI fielder's choice. Clinton would then double their lead in the second inning on a RBI fielder's choice 6-2-5 double-play off the bat of Trevor Burkhart.

Clinton would strike again in the fifth inning when Carson Lydon hit a two RBI error, caused by Normal's second-basemen, Ethan Willoughby.

After Burke's exit, Evan Chung (20.25 ERA) would enter into the game and throw one and one-third inning allowing five hits, four runs, three earned and striking out one batter.

Normal's leadoff hitter, Jackson Blemler would start the sixth inning off against Chung with a single, after a flyout to left field and another single, right-fielder Payton Mansfield, would hit an RBI double to score the first run of the game for Normal. Peyton Dillingham, the designated-hitter, would hit a two RBI sac-fly that would narrow the score 4-3.

In the top of the seventh, Normal would tie the game on wild pitch, leading Tyler Bickers to score the game tying-run.

Clinton would lead in the bottom of the seventh with an RBI groundout by Holy and an RBI single by Lydon to take a 6-4 lead.

The CornBelters would fight back in the ninth inning and tie the game on an RBI double by Jackson Blemler and an RBI double by Case Sanderson with two outs in the top of the ninth to tie the game a six runs a piece.Clinton couldn't complete the walk-off and the game would take the game into the tenth inning.

With a "ghost-runner" starting at second in Peyton Mansfield, Dillingham would lead of the inning an hit an RBI double to give Normal their first lead of the night and their game winning run.

Clinton would get runners in scoring position at second and third base, but Ryne Willard, would shut the door on the LumberKing's chance and seal the 7-6 victory.

The LumberKings and CornBelters play game 2 of the series tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. CT. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.

Carson Lydon is the projected pitcher in tomorrow's ball game.