Bolts 8 Slammers 7
CRESTWOOD, IL – The ThunderBolts erased deficits in the sixth, ninth and 13th innings, eventually defeating the Joliet Slammers 8-7 at Standard Bank Stadium Friday night.
The Bolts (10-3) found themselves in an early hole as Joliet (7-7) scored a first-inning run on a two-out RBI double from Marc Flores.
The ThunderBolts responded with a run in the third on an RBI fielder’s choice hit by Reggie Lawson.
They found themselves in another hole when the Slammers got a run-scoring double from Joe Staley in the fourth but moved ahead for the first time in the sixth inning. With two men on base, Coco Johnson doubled home Corey Bass to tie the score. Tim Zier followed with a two-run double, putting the Bolts up 4-2.
They added insurance in the eighth as Ransom LaLonde doubled and scored on a wild pitch.
Closer Cam Giannini was unable to hold the lead in the ninth as he allowed more than two runs for the first time as a reliever in his ThunderBolts career. Boo Vazquez hit the game-tying two-run single and Carter Bell put his team on top with an RBI base hit.
The ThunderBolts responded as they got the leadoff man on with a walk. Taylor Smart singled him home to tie the score.
The game stayed tied into the 13th, when Joliet got a run on a groundout. The Bolts wasted no time in responding. LaLonde swung at the first pitch and singled home Smart to tie it at seven. Two batters later, Zier came up with the game-winning single, scoring LaLonde.
Brandon Boyle (3-0) pitched one inning for the win and Kevin McNorton (2-1) took the loss, throwing four innings.
The ThunderBolts continue their series with Jolieton Saturday night. It is Star Wars Night at Standard Bank Stadium with a fireworks show to follow the game. On the field, Jake Fisher (1-0, 3.38) will start for the Bolts against the Slammers’ Marc Rutledge (0-1, 4.97). First pitch from Standard Bank Stadium is scheduled for 6:05 and the broadcast can be heard on WXAV 88.3 FM and wxav.com.
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