Otters 9 Bolts 0
CRESTWOOD, IL – The ThunderBolts left 14 men on base and went 2-for-17 with runners in scoring position in a game that they kept close before the Evansville Otters scored six runs in the eighth inning to run away with a 9-0 victory Friday at Standard Bank Stadium.
The Bolts (34-36) had their leadoff man on base in six of nine innings and they had at least one runner reach second in eight of nine innings, but Evansville pitching kept them off the scoreboard.
Their first big scoring chance came in the second when they loaded the bases with one out, but Tyler Vail got John Williams to hit into a double play.
Jake Stolley pitched three shutout innings for Windy City to start the night. The Otters looked to score in the first with runners at the corners and one out, but Stolley struck out Riopedre and Nik Balog flew out to the warning track on a play that saw Charley Thurber throw Josh Allen out at second base before Kaeo Aliviado could score from third.
Evansville broke the scoreless tie in the fourth on a Balog RBI single. The next batter was Chris Breen, who hit a two-run homer to make it 3-0.
That would remain the score until the eighth, when the Otters collected six hits and scored six runs. Julio Rodriguez, Aliviado, Allen and Chris Riopedre picked up RBIs in the onslaught.
Vail (5-3) pitched seven shutout innings on seven hits and a walk and picked up the win. Stolley (1-1) allowed three runs in four hits for his first career loss.
The ThunderBolts continue their series with the Evansville Otters on Saturday. Kyle Von Ruden (1-2, 2.60) will start against Evansville’s Matt Wivinis (0-0,0.82). It is a busy night at Standard Bank Stadium with Superhero Night, Camp Out Night and a fireworks show sponsored by Tampico Beverages. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 and the broadcast can be heard on WXAV 88.3 FM and wxav.com.
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