Frontier League

 

Big third inning catapults ThunderBolts to win

BOX SCORE

CRESTWOOD, IL – A seven-run, five-hit third inning was all the ThunderBolts needed to beat the Evansville Otters on Wednesday night. They evened the series with an 8-3 win at Ozinga Field.

The first two innings were full of opportunities for the ThunderBolts (27-45), who had three hits and a walk but didn’t score. In the third, they broke through. With one out, two singles and a walk loaded the bases. The next six batters picked up RBIs. Peyton Isaacson started it with a run-scoring walk. Singles for Payton Robertson, Brynn Martinez and Matt Morgan extended the lead to 4-0.

Evansville (41-32) made a pitching change but their fortunes didn’t change. Nikola Vasic kept the RBI streak alive with a groundout and Jairus Richards followed with a hustle triple that brought in the seventh run of the inning.

The Otters chipped away with single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh but they were unable to make a big run.

The bottom of the fifth inning resulted in the ThunderBolts’ lone insurance run. Martinez singled and stole second. Vasic singled him home for the team’s eighth run of the game.

Lost in the offensive resurgence was another strong outing from Kenny Mathews, who picked up his second straight win. Mathews (6-3) allowed a run on just three hits with eight strikeouts to earn the win.

Austin Gossman (7-4) had his three-game winning streak snapped, allowing seven runs in 2.1 innings for the loss.

The ThunderBolts become the Windy City Sliders as they look for a series victory on Thursday night, White Castle Wrestling Thursday at Ozinga Field. Adam Wheaton (0-2, 8.10) starts the game on the mound for the Bolts. Evansville will counter with Ryan O’Reilly (5-5, 4.70). The game will be followed by a wrestling show from Zelo Pro Wrestling. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 and the broadcast can be found at wcthunderbolts.com. 



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