wcthunderbolts.com

CRESTWOOD, IL – The ThunderBolts could not complete a sweep of the River City Rascals as they fell in the series finale 8-4 at Standard Bank Stadium Thursday night.

Corey Bass got the ThunderBolts (34-35) off to a hot start when he hit his ninth home run of the year, a solo shot n the first inning, but River City (31-37) answered immediately. Kyle Gaedele led off the top of the second inning with a solo home run of his own to tie the score.

The Rascals broke the tie with thtree runs in the fourth. Josh Silver singled and Gaedele walked and they both scored on a Josh Ludy double.Ludy crossed the plate on Robby Ensle’s double.

The Bolts fought back. Charley Thurber and Taylor Smart singled and Blair Beck walked to load the bases in the fifth and with two outs, Tim Zier singled home two runs. Windy City put the tying and go-ahead runners in scoring position, but Zeb Sneed struck out Bass, one of 12 strikeouts in the game for River City pitchers.

A three-run seventh for the Rascals put the game away. Alexi Colon wlked and Mike Jurgella doubled before back-to-back walks forced in a run. Ludy singled home another one and Clint Freeman’s sacrifice fly made it 7-3.

The following inning, Jason Merjano tripled and scored on a Jurgella suicide squeeze, putting the Rascals up by five.

The ThunderBolts got their final run in the eighth. Bass walked and scored on a Thurber single.

Sneed (6-5) allowed three runs in five innings for the win and Clay Chapman (7-5) allowed four runs in 4.2 innings for the loss.

The ThunderBolts begin a series with the Evansville Otters on Friday. Jake Stolley (1-0, 3.00) will start against Evansville’s Tyler Vail (4-3, 3.36). It is pet Night at Standard Bank Stadium as well as a pint glass giveaway courtesy of Lakeshore Beverage. The Brian Doroba Duo will perform a postgame concert. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 and the broadcast can be heard through wcthunderbolts.com.

Box Score