Pregame Interview with David Christensen
(Joliet, IL)- The Slammers jumped out to an early lead on Saturday at Silver Cross Field and never looked back, tagging Windy City pitching for five runs in the first three innings in the 5-3 victory.
Joliet pounced for three runs in the first inning and never surrendered the lead. Patrick Norris laced a leadoff single, his first of three hits, and came home afterward on an RBI double by Brad Netzel. Two more scored in the inning on a throwing error by Windy City third baseman C.J. Gillman, giving Joliet a three-run lead.
The Slammers added another run in the second when Norris doubled to score Josh Lyon, and made it 5-0 when David Christensen lofted a sacrifice fly in the third.
Windy City closed the gap in the seventh inning off run-scoring singles by Zach Aahkus and Brandon Decker, and the game stayed 5-3 after the seventh-inning stretch.
Jim Schult was phenomenal for Joliet in the start and earned the win. He set down the first six Bolts hitters in order, allowed one single in the third, and then retired 11 straight before finally allowing more baserunners in the seventh. He fanned six, and Joliet pitching did not allow a single walk in the ballgame.
The Slammers keep the rivalry series rolling Sunday afternoon in a 2:05 matinee with the ThunderBolts. The first 1000 fans in the gates receive a limited-edition team baseball card set. Fans can listen to the game on AM 1340 WJOL with Aaron Morse and Greg Talbott calling the action.
