wcthunderbolts.com

CRESTWOOD, IL – Hayden Shenefield pitched six strong innings in his first professional start and Randy Perez struck out eight batters for the save as the ThunderBolts took out the Florence Freedom 3-1 in game two of a doubleheader at Ozinga Field Thursday night.

The game was scoreless for the first three innings but the ThunderBolts (28-35) secured their first hit and run in the fourth. Christian Funk singled and Chase Cockrell doubled to set up a Tyler Alamo sacrifice fly. Taisei Fukuhara singled home Cockrell to make it 2-0.

In the sixth inning, Cockrell, who hit his first career home run in game one of the doubleheader, hit his second of the day with a solo shot that put the Bolts ahead 3-0.

Shenefield held the Freedom (40-25) to four hits over his first six innings of work but in the seventh, Luis Pintor brought Florence to within two runs with a solo homer. That brought Perez in from the bullpen and he struck out the side.

He found himself in trouble in the ninth inning when the Freedom put runners at the corners with nobody out but Perez once again struck out the side, finishing with eight in three innings to pick up his first career save and finish off the Windy City victory.

Shenefield (1-0) struck out four with no walks and gave up just one run in his first professional win. George Faue (0-1) took the loss despite allowing just three runs on five hits over seven innings.

The ThunderBolts hit the road on Friday to begin a three-game series with the Evansville Otters. Kenny Mathews (3-6, 3.82) makes the start for the Bolts in game one against Evansville’s Tyler Vail (4-5, 3.45). Friday’s game is a 6:35 start time at Bosse Field and the radio broadcast can be heard through wcthunderbolts.com.

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