Bolts 4 Things 1
WASHINGTON, PA – The ThunderBolts scored four late runs and got a great pitching performance from Tyler Murphy to defeat the Washington Wild Things 4-1 at Consol Energy Park Sunday evening.
The Wild Things (17-15) struck first, getting singles from their first two hitters to put a man at third base for Bryan Haar, who brought home a run despite grounding into a double play.
Tyler Murphy had just one more trouble spot in the game. It came in the third, when Jamal Austin walked and Ricky Rodriguez singled. Rodriguez, though, was thrown out at second trying to stretch his hit and Austin trying to score on the play at second, was gunned down at the plate.
The ThunderBolts’ offense was silent through five innings but they broke through against Matt Fraudin in the sixth. John Williams led off with a double and scored on a Ransom LaLonde single that tied the game at one.
The Bolts (20-13) took the lead with four straight hits in the seventh. Taylor Smart singled and moved to third on an error. Reggie Lawson singled him home. Another Williams double scored Lawson.
They tacked on one more run in the ninth as Smart reached on an error and scored on Larry Balkwill’s suicide squeeze.
Tyler Murphy (2-0), getting the spot start, picked up the win, allowing only four hits over seven innings and Isaac Gil struck out the side in the ninth for his fifth save. Fraudin (2-2) allowed three runs in 6.1 innings for the loss.
The ThunderBolts will take on the Chicago Bandits of National Pro Fastpitch in the third annual “Battle of the Sexes” softball game on Monday night at Standard Bank Stadium. The game starts at 7:05 and gates will open at 5:00 for batting practice viewing. The game will also be broadcast on WXAV 88.3 FM and wxav.com. The Bolts return to Frontier League action on Wednesday as they start a two-game home series with the Joliet Slammers. First pitch on Wednesday is at 6:05 with fireworks to follow the game.
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