Bolts knock out Slammers with big comeback
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CRESTWOOD, IL – The ThunderBolts erased a six-run deficit and scored the game-winning run on a Victor Cerny RBI single in the eighth inning as they beat the Joliet Slammers 10-9 at Ozinga Field Friday night.
The Slammers (32-50) jumped out to a quick 5-0 advantage, plating four runs in the second inning on three hits, three walks and an error. Ian Battipaglia’s RBI single in the third, his second RBI of the game put the Bolts down by five.
The ThunderBolts (42-40) started their comeback with a run in the bottom of the third. They loaded the bases on a single, a walk and an error and Carlos Peña drew an RBI walk.
Two more runs scored in the fourth as they loaded the bases again and got run-scoring groundouts from Liam McArthur and Michael Sandle.
Joliet appeared to pull away when they brought home four more runs in the top of the fifth, getting two-run hits from Olivier Basabe and Blake Berry, but Zach Cameron settled in on the mound and retired the last ten men he faced.
Down 9-3, the Bolts fought back. RBI hits from Tony Livermore and Josue Urdaneta, along with two Joliet errors, contributed to a five-run fifth-inning rally that made the score 9-8.
It was still a one-run game in the eighth, when Michael Sandle was hit by a pitch and scored the tying run on a Jared Beebe double. Cerny came up with two outs and singled home Beebe for the game-winning run.
Cameron (3-1) earned the win out of the Windy City bullpen and Carlos Soto (2-4) allowed the final two runs to take the loss. Carter Delaney pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his sixth save.
The ThunderBolts and Slammers continue their series on Saturday night at 6:05. American English will be on hand for a pregame performance starting at 4:05 for Beatles Night at Ozinga Field. Dante Maietta (1-3, 4.72) gets the start for the Bolts against Joliet’s Gunnar Kines (7-3, 4.42). Broadcast information can be found at wcthunderbolts.com
