May 25, 2008 - LOVES PARK, Ill. – Home runs by Wes Long and Phil Hawke gave Windy City an early lead and threatened the Rockford RiverHawks’ season-opening winning streak. Nine runs in the final three innings quashed any chance of extending it.
The defending Frontier League champions got their first win of the season with a 13-4 blowout of the RiverHawks on Sunday at Road Ranger Stadium. Windy City had dropped its first four games; Rockford had opened with four straight wins.
Long and Hawke hit back-to-back, two-out home runs off Rockford starter Garrett Bauer (0-1) in the first inning and the ThunderBolts led the rest of the way. Windy City added two runs in the third inning and blew the game open with four runs in the seventh, four in the eighth and one in the ninth.
Jason James and Matt Borman homered in a losing effort for the RiverHawks.
Windy City starter Stephen Flake (1-0) lasted five innings in his first professional start. He gave up two runs on six hits and five walks and struck out five.
The RiverHawks are off on Monday, then travel to River City for a three-game series that starts at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday. The next home game is at 7:05 p.m. Friday against Southern Illinois. The first 1,000 receive a RiverHawks baseball card mini-set, sponsored by Culver’s and 104.9 – the X. The FatWallet.com Friday Night Fireworks series continues following the game.
The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league in its 16th season. Advertising and season-ticket information is available by calling the box office at (815) 885-2255. Most games are broadcast live on WNTA (1330 AM) and the internet. Fans can also visit the RiverHawks online at www.rockfordriverhawks.com.
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