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SAUGET, IL – The ThunderBolts came from behind with a three-run seventh inning Sunday night to break a nine-game losing streak, beating the Gateway Grizzlies 6-4 at GCS Ballpark.

Charlie Lisk gave the Grizzlies the early advantage, homering for the third straight game and giving his team a 1-0 lead in the second.

The ThunderBolts quickly answered, getting two doubles in the third from Quentin Luquette and Mike Torres, the former scoring on the latter’s hit.

Gateway reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the same inning. A Brian Harris solo homer made it 2-1 and after two Dustin Williams walks, Lisk singled home former ThunderBolt Kent Gerst to make it 3-1. But again, the Bolts answered quickly. After Nick Mahin had doubled, Lee Rubin came up with two outs and belted his second home run in his last four games, tying the score.

Every time the Bolts scored early in the game, the Grizzlies had an answer and the fourth inning was no exception. Johnny Aldaz led off with a single and he scored when DJ Fitzgerald doubled him in with two outs. That was the last time Williams allowed any offense as he went six innings and struck out ten.

It took until the seventh inning this time before the Bolts could respond to the Gateway score. Singles for Torres and Zach Aakhus began the frame and Devin Shepherd’s single scored Torres to tie the game. A throwing error moved Aakhus and Shepherd to second and third. Then Chris Wade popped up to the left side and Brian Harris could not find the ball, allowing it to drop and scoring Aakhus. Shepherd scored on a Nick Kuroczko groundout, making it 6-4.

A scary moment occurred after that as an ambulance needed to be called for Shepherd, who had dehydration problems after the RBI single. He was carried away on a stretcher, apparently suffering from dehydration.

Greg Johnson pitched an inning and two thirds before Wes Alsup got the final four outs to record his seventh save.

Williams improved to 9-5 with the win and reliever Richard Barrett took the loss (1-3). The win salvaged the final game of a six game trip.

The ThunderBolts will have their first off day since July 24 on Monday before opening a six-game homestand Tuesday night. The River City Rascals will come to Crestwood for a three-game series with the 7:05 Tuesday game starting it off. Bryant Cotton (5-7) will get the start for the Bolts. Anyone who cannot make it out to Standard Bank Stadium for Two-for-One Ticket Tuesday can listen to the game broadcast on Sportsjuice.com.

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