wcthunderbolts.com

EVANSVILLE, IN – Trey Fulton’s two-run single in the seventh inning backed up a strong pitching performance from Chris Washington as the ThunderBolts beat the Evansville Otters 3-1 at Bosse Field Wednesday afternoon.

Evansville (16-13) took an early lead when Carlos Castro hit a leadoff triple in the second inning. He was still at third base two outs later but Mike Rizzitello rolled a single to left field to put the Otters ahead 1-0.

Shane Carrier tied up the score in the fifth. He hit a solo home run, his fourth of the year to make it 1-1.

That remained the score as Washington and Tyler Vail traded zeroes. Washington ran into trouble when Evansville loaded the bases in the fifth inning but he got Castro to ground out, ending the threat.

The ThunderBolts (14-15) put their first two batters on base in the seventh inning on a walk and a hit batter, but after a sacrifice bunt and a fielder’s choice, they had two outs and no runs on the board. That’s when Fulton grounded a 2-2 pitch inside the third base line to score two runs and put the ThunderBolts on top for the first time.

After Washington departed following the sixth inning, Joel Toribio, Colby Blueberg and Dylan Prohoroff each threw a scoreless inning to lock down the win.

Washington (1-3) picked up his first win with his fourth straight quality start. He allowed seven hits and one walk while striking out four. Vail (1-2) allowed three runs in 6.2 innings and took the loss. Prohoroff’s perfect ninth inning moved him into the league lead with seven saves.

The rubber match of Windy City and Evansville’s three-game series is set for Thursday night. The Bolts send Kenny Mathews (1-2, 3.71) to the mound against Evansville’s Jake Welch (0-1, 3.49). First pitch from Bosse Field is scheduled for 6:35 CDT and the broadcast can be heard through wcthunderbolts.com.

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