wcthunderbolts.com

CRESTWOOD, IL – The ThunderBolts scored six runs on seven hits in the second inning Friday night. They did not have any baserunners the rest of the night but their big frame was enough to beat the Traverse City Beach Bums 6-5 at Standard Bank Stadium.

Taylor Smart got the big rally started for Windy City (22-14). He hit a one-out single in the second inning. Kyle Wood followed with a base hit and both men scored on Reggie Lawson’s double.

With two outs in the inning, Lawson scored on a John Williams double that made the score 3-0. Tim Zier’s single kept the run going for the Bolts as Williams came in to score and, after a Coco Johnson single, Ransom LaLonde came up with the fourth straight hit, a two-run double to make it a 6-0 lead.

The Beach Bums (11-25) wasted no time in reciprocating as they batted around in the third. Kendall Patrick doubled and scored on a groundout, Marcos Derkes reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on a Jose Vargas double and Vargas scored on Will Kengor’s single to cut the Bolts’ lead in half. A Steven Patterson double and Giancarlo Brugnoni hit by pitch loaded the bases with two outs, but Ryan Strombom got out without any further damage on a diving catch made by LaLonde.

Neither team had another hit before the ninth inning. Traverse City’s bullpen threw six perfect frames and their offense got going once more against Isaac Gil in the ninth.

Christian Santisteban doubled and scored on a Jeff DeBlieux single. DeBlieux scored on Derkes’s base hit but Gil got Ryan Bottger to fly out, ending the game.

Strombom (3-3) recovered to throw six innings and earn the win and Jacob Lanning (2-5) took the loss, lasting only two frames.

Game two between the Bolts and the Bums is Saturday night, Princess Night at Standard Bank Stadium sponsored by Premier Princess Parties.  There will also be a fireworks show after the game. Tyler Murphy (2-0, 1.13) will start for Windy City against Traverse City’s Dylan Stoops (3-1, 3.86). 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.

Box Score