Greys 7 Bolts 2
CRESTWOOD, IL – The Windy City ThunderBolts fell behind 2-0 in the first inning and could not recover in a 7-2 loss in the home opener against the Frontier Greys at Standard Bank Stadium Monday night.
Mike Recchia did not start off as he would have liked as Mike Gallic homered on just the third pitch of the game to start the scoring for Frontier. The Greys scratched one more across as Justin Vasquez, who reached on a walk, came around to score on a throwing error by Recchia.
The Greys scored two more in the 4th inning when Esteban Meletiche homered with one on and two out. Recchia and manager Ron Biga expressed their belief that the ball was foul but the call stood.
Windy City earned one of those runs back in the bottom of the frame. With two on and two out Lyndon Estill singled home Doug Joyce, cutting Frontier’s lead to 4-1.
Frontier was able to muster more production in the 7th inning. Esteban Meletiche led off the inning with a double and moved to third base on a sacrifice bunt. With runners at the corners, Chris Kay attempted to steal second, and on the throw to second base, Meletiche ran home.
The Bolts inched closer again in the bottom of the seventh when back-to-back hits for Louie Templeton and Andrew Brauer made the score 5-2.
The Greys weren’t done, though as they plated two more an inning later. Tyler Kolodny led off the 8th with a double and scored on a fielder’s choice. Two batters later Meletiche provided more offense as he singled home Mark Mikowski to put Frontier on top 7-2.
Eric Wooten (3-0) allowed two runs in 6.2 innings, earning the win. Recchia (0-2) pitched 6.2 innings and struck out nine, but allowed five runs (two earned) to take the loss.
The ThunderBolts will play the first of back-to-back morning games on Tuesday at 10:35 against the Greys. Matt Wickswat (1-1, 3.97) will start for Windy City and Graham Johnson (0-1, 5.00) will oppose for the Greys. Fans not in attendance can hear the broadcast on WXAV 88.3 fm and wxav.com.
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