05/09/2008 3:42 PM
The Frontier League champion Windy City ThunderBolts began their 2008 preseason schedule with a 10-0 loss to the Joliet Jackhammers on Friday afternoon at Standard Bank Stadium.
The Jackhammers blew open the game with an eight-run sixth inning, taking advantage of ThunderBolts pitchers Desmond Jones and Isaac Hess to blow open a tight game. Jones supplied most of the fuel, allowing six runs on one hit, five walks, a wild pitch and a hit batsman in an inning and a third. Hess, the MVP of the 2007 Frontier League Championship Series, was reached for three runs on four hits over his 2 and 2/3 innings.
Ross Stout received the start for Windy City against the Northern League franchise, allowing a first inning RBI single in two frames of work to suffer the loss. Stout was acquired in the off-season from the Macon Music, where he led the South Coast League in victories, games started and complete games in 2007.
Stephen Flake worked scoreless third and fourth innings for the ThunderBolts. Matt Petty, the fifth pitcher of the game for the hosts, added a goose egg in the ninth.
Nick Renault earned the win for Joliet with four scoreless and hitless innings of relief.
The ThunderBolts’ exhibition schedule continues with a Saturday doubleheader against Rockford at Standard Bank Stadium. The first game begins at 2:00 p.m. Admission is free.
