Frontier League

 

Bolts fall to Traverse City in offensive showdown

CRESTWOOD, IL – After losing two leads earlier in the night, the Traverse City Beach Bums scored six runs in the seventh inning to knock the ThunderBolts out for good in a 13-10 final Saturday night at Standard Bank Stadium.

The Beach Bums (25-44) came out swinging hot bats as they took a 4-0 first inning advantage on three home runs. Jeremy Stidham and Alexis Rivera hit solo shots and Will Kengor’s went for two runs.

It didn’t take long for the ThunderBolts (38-31) to respond as they put up a six spot in the bottom of the first. Keenyn Walker doubled and scored when Coco Johnson reached on an error. The Bolts loaded the bases on a Riley Krane double and Kyle Wood walk and Tim Zier brought home two runs on a single. After Ransom LaLonde was hit b a pitch, Blair Beck’s three-run double gave the Bolts a 6-4 lead.

They maintained the two-run edge into the fifth, when Rivera struck again. Following two singles, his three-run homer made it 7-6 in Traverse City’s favor.

With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Krane walked and Larry Balkwill homered to put the ThunderBolts back in front at 8-7 but the lead did not last long.

Traverse City loaded the bases on a walk, a hit and an error in the seventh. John Montgomery came up with the big hit, a three-run double that made the score 10-8. RBI singles later in the inning for Josh Hauser, Steven Patterson and Orlando Rivera put the game away.

Krane hit an RBI single in the eighth and Zier homered in the ninth but the five-run deficit was too much for the ThunderBolts to overcome.

Neither starter lasted through the second inning and Joel Toribio (1-0) ended up with the win despite allowing two runs in 1.1 innings. Patrick Ledet (1-1) took the loss, allowing two runs and recording only one out.

The rubber match between the Bolts and the Bums is Sunday at 5:05. Jake Fisher (6-6, 3.52) starts for Windy City against Reinaldo Lopez (2-8, 4.44). It is Family Day at Standard Bank Stadium, presented by JULIE and there will be a petting zoo, courtesy of Animal Quest – Chicago. The broadcast can be heard on WXAV 88.3 FM and wxav.com.

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