FL Windy City ThunderBolts

Rascals Rough Up ThunderBolts

Published on June 12, 2005 under Frontier League (FL)
Windy City ThunderBolts News Release


Crestwood, IL - The Windy City ThunderBolts came up short in an eighth inning come back to fall to the River City Rascals, 8-5 on Saturday night at Hawkinson Ford Field.

The Rascals hit ThunderBolts' starter Tony O'Donnell hard in the first and even harder in the third inning. A homer by Mikela Olsen accounted for three of the five runs scored in the third by Rascals hitters. First baseman Mike Midrid finished 3-4 on the evening, driving in two and scoring one. Fielding errors by the Windy City defense also contributed to the runs scored by the opposition.

Windy City batters were held hitless until there was one out in the fifth inning when designated hitter Kasey Wilson dropped a single in centerfield. River City starting pitcher Aaron Ledbetter limited ThunderBolt hitters to just three hits in his first seven innings.

Ledbetter's gem unraveled in the eighth. Wilson led off the inning with a stinging double to left. Leftfielder Dave Gresky pushed Wilson to third base with an infield put out. Second baseman Matt Ferrara flicked a double between the leftfielder and the shortstop to score Wilson. Ferrara advanced to third on a ground ball by catcher Joe Neal.

Third baseman Sam Monroy drilled the third double to left of the inning to bring Ferrara home to make the score 8-2. Centerfielder Scott Balster clubbed the fourth double of the inning, this one to center, to drive in Monroy. A bunt single by Jose Gutierrez allowed runners at the corners with two out. Rightfielder Nick Johnson laced a double to right-center bringing home the fourth and fifth runs of the inning for the ThunderBolts.

Patrick Evers and Joe Thatcher came on for the Rascals to retire the final four ThunderBolt hitters. LedBetter earned his third win of the season with this seven and two-thirds innings effort. Thatcher earned the save for River City, his third of the season.

O'Donnell took the loss for the ThunderBolts, dropping his record to 0-3 on the season. O'Donnell was knocked around for seven runs, only four of which were earned. Right-hander Shane Roelle threw four innings in relief of O'Donnell and surrendered just one run.

River City and Windy City will square off in game two of this three game set on Sunday at 5:05pm. Ryan Dittfurth (RHP, 1-0, 2.33) will take the mound for the ThunderBolts and Steve Brook (RHP, 2-0, 5.12) will counter for the Rascals.

The Windy City ThunderBolts are a member of the 12-team Frontier League. The Frontier League is an independent league with franchises throughout the upper Midwest. The ThunderBolts have full season tickets, group packages, and 10-game mini plans available for purchase. Group packages include the executive suites, pre-game picnics, birthday parties, and Field of Dreams. For tickets or more information, please call 708-489-BALL (2255), send an e-mail to info@wcthunderbolts.com, visit the team offices at Hawkinson Ford Field, or visit the team on-line at www.wcthunderbolts.com.

Check out the Windy City ThunderBolts Statistics

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Frontier League Stories from June 12, 2005


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