Otters 8 Bolts 1
EVANSVILLE, IN – The ThunderBolts left ten men on base and struck out 13 times as they dropped their season-high fifth straight game, 8-1 to the Evansville Otters at Bosse Field Wednesday night.
The first five batters of the game reached base for the ThunderBolts (22-19). Tim Zier singled but was caught stealing. Coco Johnson singled and scored on a Corey Bass double. The next two batters were put on base on a walk and a hit by pitch. Preston Olson got out of the jam, though with a pop out and a strikeout.
The Bolts went on to leave seven men on base over the first four innings. They also had two runners caught stealing as they were unable to extend their lead.
Evansville (24-18) tied the score in the third inning when Julio Rodriguez hit a leadoff double, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on another groundout.
They took the lead for good in the fourth. They scored three runs on four hits, including RBI singles from Chris Breen and Jeff Gardner to go up 4-1.
In the fifth, a single and two walks loaded the bases. An error on Johnson brought home a run and another walk scored the second run of the inning to extend the Otters’ lead to 6-1.
They added late runs on a Josh Allen RBI single and a Rodriguez RBI double.
Ryan Atkinson (1-0) picked up his first professional victory as he came out of the bullpen when starter Preston Olson was removed after one innings. Atkinson did not allow a run in four innings and notched seven of his team’s 13 strikeouts. Ryan Strombom (3-4) gave up five runs in four innings and took the loss for Windy City.
Box Score
The ThunderBolts will try to avoid the three-game sweep in Evansville on Thursday. Tyler Murphy (2-1, 2.28) will start game three for the Bolts. The Otters have not yet named a starter. First pitch from Bosse Field is scheduled for 6:35 and the game broadcast can be heard on WXAV 88.3 FM and wxav.com.
