Lake Erie Topples ThunderBolts
June 22, 2018 - Frontier League (FL)
Windy City ThunderBolts News Release
CRESTWOOD, IL - The ThunderBolts fell behind early and didn't pick up their first hit until the seventh inning as they fell to the Lake Erie Crushers 7-0in the series opener at Standard Bank Stadium Friday night.
Kevin LaChance walked to lead off the ballgame for Lake Erie (22-15) and scored on a Kewby Meyer double that proved to be the game-winning hit. A Cody Lenahan single later in the first inning made it 2-0.
Lenahan struck again in the third, doubling the lead with a two-run homer.
Ethan Westphal started for the Crushers and held the ThunderBolts (11-25) without a baserunner for the first six innings. He got a little more support in the top of the seventh when Sean Hurley drew a bases loaded walk to extend the lead to 5-0.
Omar Obregon, though, led off the seventh with a double to break up the bid for perfection. The ThunderBolts went on to load the bases as Axel Johnson singled and Larry Balkwill was hit by a pitch, but Westphal struck out back-to-back hitters to end the inning.
Lake Erie pushed across their last two runs in the eighth on RBI singles for LaChance and Meyer.
Westphal (1-2) picked up his first win in his second start of the year, throwing seven shutout innings and allowing two hits. Eddie Avila (0-2) started and took the loss for the Bolts despite allowing only four hits in 5.2 innings. He gave up four runs.
The series continues with game two on Saturday night. Devin Raftery (0-1, 1.88) moves from the bullpen to make his first career start and he'll be opposed by Lake Erie's Sean Renzi (5-1, 2.62). It is the fourth annual Princess Night at Standard Bank Stadium and a fireworks show will follow the game. First pitch is set for 6:05 and the broadcast can be heard through wcthunderbolts.com.
Frontier League Stories from June 22, 2018
- Pitching Leads Grizzlies to Third Straight Win - Gateway Grizzlies
- Chirino One Hit Away From Tying The All-Time Hit Record - Normal CornBelters
- Westphal Deals as Crushers Win Opener - Lake Erie Crushers
- Lake Erie Topples ThunderBolts - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Rascals Dominate Freedom Behind Hernandez's Heroics - River City Rascals
- Wild Things Fall to Boomers in Series Opener - Washington Wild Things
- Freedom Rolled by Rascals in Opener - Florence Y'alls
- Boomers Open Homestand with Comeback Victory - Schaumburg Boomers
- Miners Shut out by Otters Friday Night - Southern Illinois Miners
- Slammers Drop Series Opener vs Traverse City - Joliet Slammers
- Rennie Strikes out Career High as Otters Top Miners - Evansville Otters
- CornBelters Add Former Rangers Farmhand, David Perez - Normal CornBelters
- Wild Things Add RHP, Release Three - Washington Wild Things
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
