wcthunderbolts.com

AVON, OH – Clay Chapman threw a shutout into the eighth inning and led the ThunderBolts to a 4-2 victory over the Lake Erie Crushers at All Pro Freight Stadium Wednesday night, snapping a four-game losing streak.

Both Chapman and Lake Erie (14-13) starter Steve Hagen carried shutouts through five innings, but the ThunderBolts (18-11) were finally able to break through with two outs in the sixth. The Bolts had five hits through the first five innings, but they capitalized in the sixth when Cody Keefer singled and Corey Bass doubled him in.

They added to their lead in the seventh as Taylor Smart and John Williams singled in front of Tim Zier, who knocked in Smart. Williams was thrown out at the plate on the play, but Zier was able to score on a Ransom LaLonde single that made the score 3-0.

That appeared to be more than enough for Chapman, who allowed only three hits and five total baserunners over 7.2 innings. At one point, he retired ten consecutive batters.

The Bolts tacked on an insurance run in the top of the ninth. Williams singled and stole second and Zier’s base hit scored him. In all, the ThunderBolts finished with 14 hits, 13 of them singles.

Lake Erie made a run in the ninth as Isaac Gil walked the first two batters. They scored on a Bryan De La Rosa single and Brady North groundout. Gil was able to settle down, though, and retire the final two hitters.

Chapman (3-1) picked up the win, finishing with two strikeouts in a career-long 7.2 innings. Hagen (2-1) took the loss despite giving up just one run in 5.2 innings.

The ThunderBolts and Crushers wrap up their three-game series on Thursday.  Windy City will send Jake Fisher (3-0, 3.06) to the. First pitch from All Pro Freight Stadium is scheduled for 6:05 and the broadcast can be heard on WXAV 88.3 FM and wxav.com.

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