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CRESTWOOD, IL -- The ThunderBolts could not break out of their offensive woes at Ozinga Field, as Crushers starter Dylan Mouzakes kept the Windy City bats off-balance in a 6-1 loss on Friday evening.  

Lake Erie (20-20) scored the first five runs of the contest thanks to a three-run second and two-run fifth to grab an advantage they would not relinquish. Zach Racusin led off the second inning with a walk and Brody Wofford followed with a single to put two men on in front of Bryan De La Rosa, who smacked a two-run double.   

James Davison then tripled home De La Rosa to extend the Crushers lead to 3-0. In the fifth inning, Lake Erie extended their advantage on a two-RBI single from Steven Kraft. An insurance run in the ninth capped the scoring for the Crushers, as the run support was more than enough for Mouzakes.  

The right-handed starter allowed a run on four hits with eight strikeouts while walking just one in the winning effort. Patrick Mathis, though, was a Bolts (19-24) bat to finally get to Mouzakes, as he ripped his fourth home run of the season in the fifth for Windy City’s lone run.  

Mathis finished the game 2-for-4, while Brynn Martinez also notched two hits in four trips, to his credit. Local product Sean LeLand pitched well in his second career appearance, throwing three scoreless innings while striking out three.  

Mouzakes (3-3) earned the win in his seven innings of work. Austin Jones (2-2) took the loss. The ThunderBolts will look to even the series on Saturday with Frontier League All-Star Tyler Thornton (2-1, 2.81) on the mound. Thornton will be opposed by Alex Romero (2-1, 3.12).  

Saturday is “Rat Pack Night” featuring pregame entertainment by “James Libera.” First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 and the broadcast can be heard on WXAV 88.3 FM and wxav.com.

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