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ThunderBolts lose home run tiebreaker

09/09/2021 11:02 PM

CRESTWOOD, IL – Rob Calabrese hit a game-tying two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth, but the ThunderBolts could not prevail in the tiebreaking home run contest. After tying the Gateway Grizzlies 4-4, they fell on homers 5-3.

Gateway (37-55) jumped out to a multi-run lead early as they put three runs on the board in the second inning. With two outs, they got an RBI triple from Connor Owings and a two-run double from Brian Parreira.

Tyler Thornton settled in and lasted seven innings, allowing only one more run.

The ThunderBolts (42-52) got in the runs column for the first time in the bottom of the fourth inning. Dan Robinson walked, Brynn Martinez doubled and Robinson scampered home on an error.

The score was 4-1 into the bottom of the eighth, when the ThunderBolts made their move. After Robinson and Martinez singled, Jack Strunc reached on an error that scored Robinson.

Jace Mercer walked to lead off the bottom of the ninth and Calabrese followed with his game-tying shot, sending it into the tenth inning.

After neither team scored their tiebreaker run in the tenth, the ThunderBolts went to a fourth home run derby of the year. They fell to 0-4 in those derbies as Parreira broke open a close contest by hitting three in the final round for Gateway, creating enough separation to give the Grizzlies the game and the series.

The final series of the season opens for the ThunderBolts at Ozinga Field on Friday night when the Joliet Slammers come to town. Kenny Mathews (7-9, 4.88) will start game one of the two-game set for the ThunderBolts. The game will be followed by the first of two Super Mega Firework Spectaculars this weekend, presented by Lumina Pyrotechnics. Tickets as well as links to the audio and video broadcasts can be found at wcthunderbolts.com.

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