ThunderBolts Knock off Crushers with Late Flourish
July 29, 2018 - Frontier League (FL)
Windy City ThunderBolts News Release
AVON, OH - Blair Beck's eighth-inning go-ahead home run capped a late comeback as the ThunderBolts scored three runs over the final three innings to beat the Lake Erie Crushers 6-4 at Sprenger Stadium Sunday afternoon.
The ThunderBolts (27-39) took an early one-run lead as Omar Obregon singled to lead off the ballgame. Axel Johnson later singled him home.
Lake Erie (36-30) tied it up in the second. Zach Racusin singled, stole second and scored on a Mason Brown base hit.
Larry Balkwill and Tyler Straub led off the top of the fourth inning with back-to-back singles. The Bolts reclaimed the lead as both men scored on a Joe Becht single that made the score 3-1.
In the sixth inning, the Crushers came back to take their first lead of the day. Aaron Hill and Terry McClure singled and Zach Racusin's RBI base hit brought home one run. A two-run double for Doug Trimble made it a 4-3 Crushers lead.
The Bolts loaded the bases in the seventh on two singles and an error and Tim Zier's RBI single tied the score at four. The next inning, Beck hit his solo homer to put the ThunderBolts back in front.
A Tyler Straub RBI base hit in the ninth added insurance for Devin Raftery, who pitched a perfect ninth inning for his ninth save of the year.
Zac Westcott allowed four runs (three earned) in 5.1 innings and did not factor in the decision. Drew Peden (2-1) threw 2.2 shutout frames of relief for the win. Luke Watts (0-2) gave up the eighth-inning homer for the loss.
The ThunderBolts take Monday off before resuming their seven-game road trip with a doubleheader on Tuesday with the River City Rascals. Connor Bach (2-1, 4.91) and Jake Welch (5-3, 3.39) will be the starting pitchers for the Bolts. First pitch for game one from Carshield Field is scheduled for 5:05 and the broadcast for both games can be heard on WXAV 88.3 FM and wxav.com.
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