wcthunderbolts.com

MARION, IL – Behind six shutout innings from Miguel Ausua, the Windy City ThunderBolts knocked off the Southern Illinois Miners, 4-0, at Rent One Park. It was the Bolts’ (20-30) third straight win against the Miners (27-24).

Ausua got first inning run support from his battery mate, Rob Calabrese. The catcher lined a homer over the left field wall, his seventh long ball of the season, to make it 1-0 Bolts. In the fourth, the lead grew with Calabrese at the plate again. He hit a ball to center field that Anthony Brocato dropped. The error brought Hunter Wells to the plate and pushed the score to 2-0.

Brynn Martinez was in the middle of the other two run-scoring rallies for the Bolts. After Zach Racusin’s double to lead off the fifth, Martinez roped an RBI single into right field. The final run of the night occurred in the seventh. Martinez tripled and Zac Taylor singled him home.

For Ausua (5-2), he faced one under the minimum through four innings. In his final two innings, he stranded two runners on base in each. He finished after six innings allowing no runs, one hit, walking two and striking out a season-high seven batters.

Neil Abbatiello and Stetson Woods closed the first shutout of the year for the Bolts pitching staff. Abbatiello fired two scoreless innings, while Woods recorded the final three outs.

Trent Johnson (0-4) suffered the loss for Southern Illinois, giving up three runs (two earned) over five innings.

The Bolts and Miners play game two of the series Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 CT. For live coverage and tickets, fans can find video and audio links at wcthunderbolts.com. 

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