Early Offense Propels ThunderBolts Past Titans in Series Opener
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CRESTWOOD, Ill. – Seven runs across the first two innings for the Windy City ThunderBolts offense proved to be enough Tuesday night, as the Bolts defeated the Ottawa Titans 9-6 at Ozinga Field.
After three walks loaded the bases for Windy City (40-39) in the bottom of the first, Victor Cerny cleared the bases with a grand slam to give the Bolts an early 4-0 lead.
In the bottom of the second, a Justin Fogel RBI single preceded a Jared Beebe two-run triple as Windy City extended its early lead to 7-0.
The Bolts added to their lead in the fourth via an RBI base hit from Michael Sandle that scored Liam McArthur before Ottawa (45-33) finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth.
The Titans cut into the ThunderBolts lead with five runs on three hits and three free passes in the sixth to trim the Windy City advantage to 8-5.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Bolts added an insurance run on Beebe’s third RBI of the night, a two-out double that scored McArthur.
Ottawa responded with a solo home run in the top of the ninth against the Windy City bullpen, but it was too little, too late.
ThunderBolts starter Tyler Biddinger (5-2) picked up the win, going five-plus and allowing four runs on one hit and six walks. Titans starter Kaleb Hall (4-6) was tagged with the loss after being pulled from the game after just one inning of work in which he allowed four runs on one hit and three walks.
The Bolts return to action Wednesday for the second of three games this week against the Titans. Ramon Rodriguez (2-1, 3.75) gets the starting nod for the Bolts. He will be opposed by Kevin Miranda (3-2, 6.23) for the Titans. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. CDT and broadcast information is available at wcthunderbolts.com
