CRESTWOOD, IL–It was another tough game for the River City Rascals on Friday night at Standard Bank Stadium as the team lost to the the Windy City ThunderBolts 5-2, falling to 0-2 on the young season. The ThunderBolts rolled behind another fantastic pitching performance, tonight by left-hander Patrick Ledet (1-0), who went seven innings and allowed just four hits and one run, striking out three.
Tyler Straub got things started for the Bolts in the first inning, registering a two-run triple. Ransom LaLonde added an RBI single later in the inning. Gerrion Grim got the Rascals on the board with an RBI double in the fourth inning, but the ThunderBolts countered with RBI singles by Larry Balkwill and Tim Zier in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively. Mike Jurgella brought home a run on a fielder’s choice groung out with the bases loaded in the eighth, but the Rascals weren’t able to score another run, leaving runners stranded at second and third base.
Dan Ludwig (0-1) was able to give the Rascals five innings, but was doomed by the three-run first inning. Devin Raftery, one night after blowing a save, earned the save for the ThunderBolts tonight, and Riley Krane gave the team three hits. Balkwill and Straub each had two hits.
The Rascals (0-2) look to avoid the sweep at the hands of the ThunderBolts (2-0) tomorrow night. Scott Grist is expected to start for the Rascals, in his season debut. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 pm CT.
