WASHINGTON, PA – Chase Porch’s grand slam backed up six solid innings from Matt Costello as the Bolts defeated the Washington Wild Things 6-2 at CONSOL Energy Park Saturday night.
Costello and Washington’s Jhonny Montoya were locked in a great duel through five innings, with neither pitcher allowing a run.
In the sixth, Washington pulled Montoya and the ThunderBolts were finally able to jump start their offense against Ryan Thomas, making his pro debut. Brandon Anderson reached on an error to begin the inning and stole second and third. After Zach Aakhus walked, Devin Shepherd swung at the first pitch he saw and flew out to center, scoring Anderson from third, giving Windy City a 1-0 lead. Chad Cregar walked and Chris Wade singled. On the single, left fielder Derek Perren bobbled the ball, allowing Aakhus to score and giving the Bolts a 2-0 lead. After Thomas walked Nick Kuroczko, he was removed in favor of Davis Bilardello.
The first batter Bilardello faced was Chase Porch who homered over the left field wall and gave Windy City a 6-0 lead. It was Porch’s first homer of the year and the team’s first grand slam.
The Bolts carried the six-run lead into the seventh, when Donald Jordat replaced Costello and the Wild Things were finally able to cross the plate. Derek Perren and Luis Rivera hit back-to-back singles to begin the inning and they scored on a Kevyn Feiner sacrifice fly and Zack Stanton groundout.
Those were Washington’s only runs, though, as Kurt Frymier pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth. Costello earned the win (2-1), allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out six. Thomas drew the loss (0-1).
The Bolts nine-game road trip continues tomorrow night as Todd Privett (3-1) takes the All Pro freight Stadium mound to face the Lake Erie Crushers and Paul Fagan (0-4). The game, which begins a three-game series, is set to begin at 4:05 CDT. It can be heard on WXAV 88.3 fm and wxav.com.
