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CRESTWOOD, IL – The ThunderBolts scored four runs in the fourth inning to defeat the Lake Erie Crushers 5-1 in the opener at Standard Bank Stadium Wednesday night before dropping game two of their doubleheader 5-3.

Jose Barraza hit a solo home run in the first inning of game one to give Lake Erie (20-25) the early lead.

The Bolts (24-23) matched them with a run in the second. Ransom LaLonde singled and scored on a Kyle Wood double.

The ThunderBolts broke the tie with a four-run fourth inning. The first six batters of the inning reached base and they got their first run on a bases loaded walk to Wood. Johnny Eierman and Tim Zier each hit RBI singles before a Coco Johnson sacrifice fly made it 5-1.

Jake Fisher (5-3) went the distance, striking out eight to earn the win. Justin Sinibaldi (0-3) gave up all five runs in three-plus innings to take the loss.

The Crushers scored first once again in game two. Back-to-back second inning hits turned into a run on a Brett Synek RBI groundout.

The ThunderBolts tied the score in the bottom of the frame as Kyle Wood singled and Larry Balkwill doubled him home.

Lake Erie claimed the lead for good the next inning. Connor Oliver singled and scored on Brendan Costantino’s double. They made it 3-1 in the fourth when Sean Hurley doubled and scored on a Synek sacrifice fly.

An RBI Double off the bat of Richard Seigel and a Max Casper sacrifice fly in the sixth extended the Crushers’ lead to 5-1.

The Bolts fought back, getting a run in the sixth on a Ransom LaLonde sacrifice fly. Larry Balkwill homered in the seventh, but that was all the offense they would get.

Mike Devine (6-2) went six innings, allowing two runs for the win and Tyler Murphy (2-2) gave up four earned runs in five innings for the loss.

The rubber match of the three-game series will be played at 7:05 on Thursday. Clay Chapman (5-2, 2.61) will start for Windy City against Lake Erie’s Steve Hagen (2-2, 1.32). It is a Pro Wrestling Blitz Thursday night and Abyss will be in attendance signing autographs. The first 500 fans will also receive a pint glass courtesy of Lakeshore Beverage. The radio broadcast can be heard on WXAV 88.3 FM and wxav.com. 

Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score