EVANSVILLE, IN – Bob Glover’s fifth-inning home run gave the ThunderBolts a two-run lead that they would not relinquish in a 6-4 victory over the Evansville Otters at Bosse Field Saturday night.
The Otters struck first against Windy City, who had four baserunners but no runs through three innings. In the bottom of the third, Luis Uribe and Billy Killian lead off with back-to-back singles. On a bunt from Andrew Kuhn, Chad Cregar’s throw sailed out to left field, allowing Uribe to score. Killian made it to third and crossed the plate on a Taylor Black groundout.
The Bolts answered in the fourth. Mike Torres and Chris Wade each singled and stood at third and second base, respectively with two outs when Brandon Decker knocked both of them in on a single to tie the score.
The next inning, Brandon Pearl doubled in front of Glover’s first career homer and the ThunderBolts lead 4-2.
A seventh-inning run on a Torres RBI fielder’s choice made it a three run lead, but Evansville scored in the bottom of the seventh on a Taylor Black RBI double to make it a two-run game again.
The back and forth continued the following inning, as Glover’s sacrifice fly put Windy City up 6-3 and Evansville’s DeAngelo Mack singled home Runey Davis making it 6-4.
Shane Zegarac came out of the bullpen to record the final four outs and put a stop to the Otters’ comeback effort as the Bolts finished the win 6-4.
Blayne Weller (2-0) pitched six strong innings, allowing just two unearned runs in the win. Adam Champion (2-2) gave up four runs in 5.2 innings, taking the loss. Zegarac earned his sixth save.
The ThunderBolts and Otters will continue the series Sunday night with game two at Bosse Field. Garrett Bullock (1-4, 3.51) is the scheduled starter for Evansville and the ThunderBolts have not yet named a starter. The game begins at 6:05 p.m. CDT and the broadcast can be heard on sportsjuice.com.
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