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 CRESTWOOD, IL – Danny Canela had three hits and three RBIs as he lead the River City Rascals to a 7-3 win over the Windy City ThunderBolts at Standard Bank Stadium Thursday night, evening the series at one win apiece.

The ThunderBolts took an early lead when Chad Cregar hit his second home run of the year in the second inning. The solo shot made the score 1-0.

That would be the only lead in the game for Windy City, though, as the Rascals answered with two quick runs in the third. Will Block and Eric Williams led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Then, with one out, Phil Wunderlich and Canela hit back-to-back singles to score Block and Williams respectively.

They added to their lead in the fifth inning. Williams and Johnny Morales each had one-out base hits. They both moved up a base on a wild pitch and, with two outs, Canela singled them home, making it 4-1.

The ThunderBolts inched closer, manufacturing a run in the bottom of the frame. Kyle Robinson led off with a walk and stole second. He moved up to third on a groundout and scored on a wild pitch.

The Rascals would distance themselves again, though, in the eighth inning. Canela singled in front of Curran Redal, who doubled and moved to third on an error. Jake Atwell singled him in.

The ThunderBolts had one more chance. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Evan Button singled and stole second. He scored on a Ryan Soares base hit. Cregar’s infield single then put runners at first and second with one out. Nick Kennedy came out of the bullpen to face Zach Aakhus and got him to ground into a double play on the first pitch to end the threat.

The Rascals would add one more run in the ninth to make the final 7-3.

Craig Goodman (5-3) pitched seven three-hit innings to earn the win and Daniel Cropper (6-4) allowed six runs in 7.1 innings for the loss.

The rubber match will be played at Standard Bank Stadium on Friday night, Fill ‘R Up Friday. It will also be Camp Out Night following the game. Brian Oliver (3-6, 4.76) will start for the Bolts against River City’s Tommy Mendoza (4-3, 5.45). The broadcast can be heard on WXAV, 88.3 FM and wxav.com.

Box Score