CRESTWOOD, IL – The ThunderBolts scored five runs in the first two innings and led throughout, defeating the River City Rascals 8-2 at Standard Bank Stadium Tuesday night.
Windy City manufactured a first-inning run when Brandon Anderson led off with a single and eventually scored on a two-out infield hit for Zach Aakhus. They added four runs in the second on four hits including an RBI double for Larry Pempek, RBI single for Quentin Luquette and a two-out, two-run hit for Mike Torres.
The Rascals did not get their first hit until the fifth inning but mounted a rally in the sixth. They scored their first run when Bobby Burk, who had singled, crossed the plate on a Stephen Holdren base hit. Then they loaded the bases with two outs but Bryant Cotton got Chad Maddox to fly out on a 3-1 pitch to end the threat.
In the bottom of the inning, the Windy City offense got rolling again. After back-to-back walks began the inning, Quentin Luquette bunted into a fielder’s choice that loaded the bases when pitcher Kenny Arnerich’s throw to third was late. Anderson doubled home two and Torres singled home another giving the Bolts an 8-1 advantage.
The final score came in the seventh for River City. Jareck West singled and Burk was hit by a pitch before a double steal put them on second and third. Doug Sanders’ sacrifice fly scored West and made the score 8-2, but that was all the Rascals would get.
Cotton pitched 6.1 innings, earning the win (6-7) and Zach Robertson allowed seven run in 5+ innings to take the loss (6-3)
Game two between the Bolts and Rascals is set for Wednesday night at Standard Bank Stadium. It is $1 Wednesday at the park with hot dogs and soda available at concession stands for just $1.00. The game starts at 7:05 and those who cannot make it can listen to the game broadcast on Sportsjuice.com.
