wcthunderbolts.com

CRESTWOOD, IL— Every Windy City player contributed Tuesday night to an 8-5 comeback win over Southern Illinois.  Tuesday’s win was the first time this season that Windy City (19-28) took a series lead over the Miners (26-20).

Southern Illinois was first to get on the board as the Miners hit back-to-back solo home runs in the 2^nd inning.  Both Jason Ganek and Corey Harrilchak went yard off of Daniel Cropper for a 2-0 lead. 

Ryan Soares cut the lead in half with a solo home run of his own in the 3^rd inning.  The home run was Soares’ third of the year along with his 25^th RBI.

The Miners took advantage of a few Windy City mistakes in the 5^th and 6^th and Southern Illinois grew its lead to 4-1.  Cannon Lester reached on a walk and scored on a passed ball, while Gerardo Avila reached on a drop third strike and was singled home by Harrilchak. 

Things opened up for the ‘Bolts in the 6^th frame as they drove in five runs.  Windy City loaded the bases to chase out Southern Illinois' starter Travis Bradshaw.  Jeff Harkensee then ripped a two-run single off of Jon Mark Abbey.  The bases would become re-loaded with ThunderBolts and a wild pitch by Abbey brought in the third run of the inning, tying the score. Nate Pittman delivered another two-run base hit to put the home team on top 6-4.

After Southern Illinois earned one of those runs back, the ThunderBolts manufactured two runs in the 8^th to give them their largest lead of the night.  Aakhus moved both Pittman and Torres into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt, before Soares sacrificed home Pittman with a fly ball to right.  Evan Button added one more with a two-out RBI single making the score its final of 8-5.

Cropper (5-2) picked up the win giving up four earned runs in six innings on seven hits.  Abbey (0-1) took the loss while Michael Click earned save number ten on the year.

The ThunderBolts and Miners will commence Wednesday with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch at Standard Bank Stadium.  Blake Nation (6-0, 2.53) will throw for the Miners against Windy City’s Travis Tingle (3-3, 4.05).  Fans that cannot make the game can listen in on 88.3 WXAV FM and wxav.com.

Box Score