Bums 11 Bolts 5
CRESTWOOD, IL—The ThunderBolts continued their offensive struggles Friday night, but in a different fashion. Windy City (17-27) stranded 11 base runners (seven in scoring position) and also outhit the Beach Bums, but fell to Traverse City (26-17) by a score of 11-5.
The ‘Bolts were first to score against the intimidating Scott Dunn of Traverse City as Nathan Pittman led off the 1st inning with a solo home run.
Traverse City got that run back along with three more in the top of the 2nd inning. A fielder’s choice by Ryan Still brought in Zach Kometani and a single by Taylor Wrenn drove home D’Marcus Ingram for a Traverse City lead. Jose Vargas provided the clutch two-out double to bring home two more and a 4-1 advantage for the Beach Bums.
Another solo home run cut the Bums’ lead to two when Evan Button rounded the bases in the fourth.
Once again Traverse City piled on a big inning plating five more in the 5th. A two-out walk from Brian Oliver kept the frame alive for the Beach Bums and allowed a rally to begin. The visiting team scored a pair on two walks, a single, and a double, but the crooked number was capped off with a three-run home run from Marcus Nidiffer which chased Oliver out of the ballgame.
Both teams scattered runs throughout the rest of the ballgame, but the biggest chance for the ThunderBolts came in the 5th with the bases loaded. CJ Gillman floated a soft liner to the third baseman to end the threat without any significant runs.
Dunn (9-0) becomes the first pitcher in the Frontier League to earn nine wins, despite having his most difficult outing of the season. Oliver (2-5) picked up the loss in his ThunderBolts debut.
The ThunderBolts and Beach Bums will match up again Saturday night at Standard Bank Stadium. Dyllon Nuernberg (2-1, 2.33) will pitch for Windy City against Traverse City’s Kyle Teague (1-0, 2.89). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Fans that cannot make it to the game can hear the live broadcast on wcthunderbolts.com
Box Score
