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After a 92-minute rain delay, Brady Muller started for the Bolts (30-32) but couldn’t find the strike zone. He walked the first three batters for Southern Illinois (43-18), all of whom scored on singles from Nolan Earley and Steve Marino.

The first three batters walked in the second inning as well and Shane Kennedy hit a two-run single to make it 5-0. Jake Stolley, who entered the game after the first walk, would settle things down for the Bolts after that. He pitched four innings without allowing a run.

The ThunderBolts offense started to click in the third innings. A walk and base hit put two men on when Tim Zier reached on an error, scoring the first. Cody Keefer’s RBI groundout made it a 5-2 game.

They inched closer in the fourth when Blair Beck hit an RBI double and scored on Coco Johnson’s single.

A five-run fifth gave the ThunderBolts a lead and opened it up. Back-to-back walks started the inning before Ransom LaLonde hit an RBI single. Taylor Smart did the same to put the Bolts ahead for the first time. After another walk loaded the bases, Beck singled home one run and Johnson singled home two with his fourth hit of the game.

They added one more run when Zier doubled and Keefer singled him home in the eighth.

Stolley (1-0) picked up the win, striking out six and allowing just two hits in his pro debut. He combined with Chris Chigas, Cameron Giannini and Brian Loconsole to throw eight innings of scoreless relief. Dustin Batson (0-1) allowed five runs in the fifth to take the loss.

The ThunderBolts and Miners wrap up their series on Thursday night. Jake Fisher (6-4, 3.96) gets the game three start for Windy City against Jarett Miller (5-2, 2.78) for Southern Illinois. First pitch from Rent One Park is scheduled for 7:05 and the game broadcast can be heard on WXAV 88.3 FM and wxav.com.

Box Score