wcthunderbolts.com

CRESTWOOD, IL—Windy City took advantage of some early chances and won behind some great pitching to avoid the sweep from the Southern Illinois Miners at Standard Bank Stadium Sunday evening.

The ThunderBolts (10-18) wouldn’t need any more offense after four runs in the first inning, but still doubled that lead to defeat the Miners (14-13) 8-0.

Nate Pittman and Mike Torres drew back-to-back walks for the first two base runners of the game and were both brought in by a Zack Aakhus double.  Windy City wouldn’t stop there as Andrew Brauer drove home Aakhus and Louie Templeton singled in Brauer to end the first inning ahead 4-0.

The ‘Bolts tacked on another run the next inning as Pittman led off the 2^nd with a single and came around to score on another clutch hit from Aakhus.

Daniel Cropper seemed unstoppable, not allowing a base hit until the 6^th inning.  Cropper only allowed three hits on the evening and one walk through eight scoreless innings. 

After punching across another run in the 6^th on a Tyler Hall error, Aakhus provided some power one last time as he homered over the left field wall making it 8-0 ThunderBolts.

Michael Click pitched a scoreless ninth inning, finishing the ThunderBolts’ first shutout of the season.

Cropper (3-1) picked up his third consecutive win and Brian Oliver (2-3) allowed five runs in five innings to take the loss.

The Bolts will take Monday off before starting a three-game series with the Florence Freedom on Tuesday. Kids will eat for free at Standard Bank Stadium for the first game of the series and Travis Strong (1-3, 5.96) will take the mound for the ThunderBolts. His opponent will be Florence’s Daniel DeSimone (4-0, 3.62). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 and fans not in attendance can listen through wcthunderbolts.com.

Box Score