Windy City Thwarts Beach Bums Rally With Walkoff Hit
June 1, 2007 - Frontier League (FL)
Traverse City Beach Bums News Release
CRESTWOOD, Ill. - The Traverse City Beach Bums made a fierce rally at Hawkinson Ford Field in Crestwood, Illinois, but the Windy City Thunderbolts walked off with a 5-4 win after an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth.
Windy City held leads of 2-0 and 4-1 as the Thunderbolts got to Beach Bums starter Buddy Klovstad early. Leadoff hitter Rob Marconi worked a walk after fouling off several full count offerings in the first. A Phil Hawke double drove in the first run of the game and a ground out would spot the hosts a 2-0 lead.
The Thunderbolts added to the lead with another run following a leadoff triple in the second off of Klovstad. The Beach Bums got a triple of their own leading to their first run in the third as JT Thomas tripled to center and scored on an errant throw. Thomas had to leave the game after sliding awkwardly into third.
The Thunderbolts made it a 4-1 lead in the fifth inning with a two out single off of Klovstad. Klovstad did not factor in the decision and tossed six innings in the game, allowing four runs on eight hits.
The Beach Bums began to rally in the seventh inning against the Windy City bullpen. Walks to Lance Koenig and Jeff Brown put runners at first and second with two away when Brad Vericker cleared the bases with a double down the line to pull Traverse City within 4-3.
In the ninth the Beach Bums got to closer Mike Causey and completed the rally by tying the game. Justin Holmes singled with one away and stole second. With two outs Brad Vericker was intentionally walked to get to Curtis Ledbetter. Facing an 0-2 count, Ledbetter singled into left center for his third hit of the game to knot the score at four aside.
Jeff Williams, who threw a perfect eighth, walked Windy City leadoff batter Amos Ramon. Williams left as Nick Pepper came on. Following a sacrifice bunt Windy City walked off winners as Josh Horn singled to give the Thunderbolts their second straight thrilling win. Williams (0-1) took the loss for the Beach Bums.
Curtis Ledbetter was chosen as the Beach Bums Player of the Game. Ledbetter was 3-for-5 at the plate with the tying RBI. He has now recorded three straight multi-hit games. He was the only Beach Bums player to record more than one hit in the contest.
The third game in the series will be at 8:05 pm tomorrow night at Hawkinson Ford Field. Tony Casoli (1-1, 9.28) will make his third start of the season while Windy City will counter with Jeff Mault (0-0, 6.75). The Fox FM with the Beach Bums on deck show beginning at 7:45 pm.
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