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Windy City's bus to Washington needed to make room for one more player as Zach Aakhus joined the ThunderBolts on the road to the 2013 All-Star Game Presented by 84 Lumber at CONSOL Energy Park in Washington.  The West Division defeated the East 4-2 on Wednesday night.

This was Zach’s fourth time being selected as a Frontier League All-Star, tying Mike Torres for a team record.  Aakhus was selected on July 11^th as a managerial pick by Gateway’s skipper Phil Warren, who managed the West Division squad.  He joined the West as a catcher, helping fill the absence of ThunderBolt catcher Adam Davis who missed the All-Star game due to an injury. 

One of the top hitters for the ThunderBolts, Aakhus is batting .292 with four home runs and 21 RBIs.  Zach has been a workhorse on the field as well, playing multiple positions defensively.  Throughout this season, Aakhus has played 12 games at first base, 22 at catcher, 13 in the outfield and one at third base.  Through 45 games this season, Aakhus has just one error.  He also leads the team in walks (27), home runs, and co-leads in runs (23).

Aakhus joined Michael Click, Ryan Soares, Torres and the injured Davis as ThunderBolts named to the all-star team.

2013 Frontier Game All-Star Week Recap:

- In what proved to be the winning run, a big error opened the door to a three-run 2nd inning for the West Division.  With runners on 1st and 2nd with one out, a perfect double play groundball was booted allowing the bases to be loaded.  All three runs in that inning were unearned as the West defeated the East 4-2 in front of just under 3000 in Washington.  Schaumburg's Sean Mahley was named the MVP of the game going 1-for-3 providing the game winning RBI with his two-run triple in the 2nd.

- Ryan Soares was the only ThunderBolt hitter to get two plate appearances.  He went 1-for-2 with a single.  Mike Torres and Zack Aakhus both were put out in each of their one at-bats.  Michael Click came into the bottom of the 9th inning with the West up 4-2.  Click was not challenged as he got one strikeout in four pitches and a flyout.  West Division manager Phil Warren pulled Click to allow Gateway pitcher Richard Barrett to get the final out and save.

- In Tuesday's events from Washington, Schaumburg's Steve McQuail beat out Traverse City's Chase Burch in the final round of the Home Run Derby.  The Akron Racers of National Pro Softball defeated the Frontier League All Stars 4-2 in a battle of the sexes softball exhibition.

The Windy City ThunderBolts continue their 2013 season in Traverse City Friday before returning home Monday for a six-game homestand vs. Gateway and Evansville.