FL Joliet Slammers

Slammers Clinch Division Title; Lose Baseball Game

Published on September 1, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Joliet Slammers News Release


(Joliet, IL) - In their first year of existence, the Joliet Slammers (54-38) clinched the Frontier League's East Division title on Wednesday night.

The Slammers now officially begin the playoffs at Silver Cross Field on Wednesday, September 7th at 7:05 p.m. Central Time. Game two on Thursday, September 8th at 7:05 p.m. Central Time will also be at the yard. In addition, an if-necessary game five of the first round will take place on Monday, September 12 at 7:05 p.m. Central Time.

The announcement of Traverse City's loss to Rockford came after the second inning concluded with Joliet trailing Windy City (46-46) by a score of 3-2.

That deficit didn't last long as the newly crowned champions got a RBI double from Hector Pellot and an Erik Lis two-run blast to take a 5-3 lead in the third. The Slammers would eventually take a four-run lead but surrendered it in a five-run eighth inning as they lost 10-8.

Both teams flexed their muscles early as the teams combined for eight runs through the first three innings. It was the ThunderBolts striking first against Joliet starter Tommy Mendoza. In the top of the first inning, Brandon Anderson singled to right and Quentin Luquette bunted him to second. Anderson proceeded to steal third and a Mike Torres RBI grounder made the score 1-0 in favor of Windy City.

The Slammers tallied a couple of runs in the bottom of the first as Josh Flores drew a walk and Brad Netzel tripled him home. Two outs later Kyle Maunus singled in Netzel for the first of his four hits on the night.

The ThunderBolts grabbed another lead in the second inning on a two-out, two-RBI single by Tyler Keeble.

After taking a 5-3 lead in the third, the Slammers got some insurance in the fifth on an Erik Lis RBI single to score Pellot.

Mendoza went six innings, surrendering five hits and three runs. He walked two and struck out four.

The Slammers' bullpen could not hold onto the lead for Mendoza. Chris Pack surrendered a run in the seventh as with runners on first and third and two outs Brandon Anderson stole second. The throw to second base was wild and it was a 6-4 ballgame as the runner from third came in to score.

Joliet seemingly put the game out of reach with two runs in the bottom of the frame. Kyle Maunus doubled and pinch hitter Tobi Adeyemi singled him in. Adeyemi would score later in the frame on a wild pitch to make the score 8-4.

But Chuck Lukanen (4-2) couldn't get anyone out in the eighth inning. Mike Torres singled to start the frame and Devin Shepherd followed with a two-run home run to cut the Joliet lead to 8-6. The ThunderBolts weren't done though as a single and a walk set up Chad Cregar. Cregar lay down a bunt that Sean Estand threw wildly to first, allowing a run to score and putting two men in scoring position with nobody out. Brian Smith entered the game and was greeted rudely by a Lee Rubin double as Windy City took a 9-8 lead.

They tacked on one more in the ninth thanks to a Jason James home run.

Despite the loss, the Slammers are the 2011 Frontier League East Division champions and they look to conclude their home regular season schedule in style Thursday night. Kevin Crimmel (7-4, 4.28 ERA) takes the mound for Joliet.

It is Fan Appreciation Night at the yard. The Slammers are combining cheap beer with fireworks! $1.50 drafts will be available at the Crossroads Grill down the left field line and after the game fans should stick around for the final fireworks night of the regular season. It's Wilmington Community night and Mayor Marty Orr will throw out the first pitch. Any businesses interested in participating should call Tim Fritz at (815) 722-2287..

Tickets for Thursday's game and the playoffs are available at the Box Office or by calling (815) 722-2287 during business hours. Tickets can be purchased 24/7 at www.jolietslammers.com.

Check out the Joliet Slammers Statistics

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Frontier League Stories from September 1, 2011


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