Windy City staves off sweep in extras07/20/2011 9:48 PM
CRESTWOOD, IL – The ThunderBolts took an early lead Wednesday night, lost it late, but saw Zach Aakhus save the day with a two-out walk-off hit in the bottom of the tenth. The Bolts defeated the Joliet Slammers 4-3 at Standard Bank Stadium.
Windy City got on the board in the third when Brandon Anderson singled, stole second and scored on a Mike Torres base hit. They added two more in the fourth. Chad Cregar and Billy Nowlin hit back-to-back singles before Chris Wade doubled home one run and Lee Rubin brought in another on a sacrifice fly.
The 3-0 score held until the bottom of the sixth. Matt Jernstad, who cruised along through five began to struggle in the 100 degree heat and allowed his first run on a walk and two singles. David Fox’s RBI hit made it 3-1.
The Joliet bullpen pitched well and did not allow another ThunderBolts run, saving the 3-1 score heading into the ninth, as the Bolts called on closer Wes Alsup.
Kyle Maunus led off the top of the ninth with a single and Sean Estand walked. Kris Kasarjian’s groundout advanced both runners into scoring position before Ben Hewett struck out for the second out of the inning. Pinch hitter Trey Manz worked the count full before lining an Alsup pitch up the middle scoring two runs and tying the game.
After Windy City went down in order in the bottom of the ninth and Joliet did the same in the top of the tenth, the ThunderBolt offense got in gear. Chase Porch’s one-out single in the tenth was the first base runner for the team since the sixth. After Anderson was hit by a pitch, Torres hit a comebacker to the pitcher’s mound, but the Slammers could get just one out on the play, keeping the game alive for Aakhus. On a 3-2 pitch, he hit a foul ball to right that Josh Flores chased down but couldn’t hang onto. He sent the next pitch over the head of the centerfielder, Fox, scoring Porch and winning the game 4-3.
It was the second walk-off win of the season for the ThunderBolts. John Mincone pitched the tenth to earn the win (1-2) and Brian Smith took the loss (0-1).
The Traverse City Beach Bums come into town for a three-game series starting Thursday. Dustin Williams (7-3) looks to be the Frontier League’s first eight-game winner against Matt Smith (0-3). It will be Bud Light Thirsty Thursday at Standard Bank Stadium, meaning domestic draft beer is just $1.00. The game can be heard on SportsJuice.com. Box Score |
Browse by Year »
2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006
Browse by Month »
September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 February 2024 January 2024 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 November 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 September 2020 June 2020 April 2020 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 January 2018 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 November 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 |