The Windy City Thunderbolts’ chance at the Frontier League playoffs went right down to the wire.
But they fell short on Sept. 6 with a 6-5 loss to the Florence Y’alls in Florence, Kentucky.
Jared Beebe singled home Michael Sandle in the top of the ninth for the Thunderbolts (55-47) and they had a runner at third with no outs but could not score.
It was the most wins for the Bolts since 2012, and team broadcaster Terry Bonadonna said it was a fun team to watch.
“This was the youngest team in the league, and I don’t think there were super high expectations coming in,” he said. “They had talent, but this is a league that rewards experience.
“This team had a lot of thrilling finishes. They came from behind so often and they almost did it again (in the finale).”
The Thunderbolts earned three Frontier League postseason awards.
Tom Carcione is the second manager in team history to earn Manager of the Year. Carlos Pena was honored as the league’s top designated hitter. Bonadonna, a St. Xavier grad, shared the award for best broadcaster. He also won in 2017.
“It’s always cool to be recognized,” Bonadonna said. “But I’m not any better of a broadcaster than I was last year, when I didn’t win it. But what’s nice is that it’s voted on by other people around the league who like and respect you.”
Dowling shines in SXU loss
Former Mount Carmel star Blainey Dowling threw for 449 yards and four touchdowns in his debut for St. Xavier, but the Cougars lost 38-31 to Taylor on Sept. 5 in Upland, Indiana in a Mid-States Football Association crossover.
Downing, an Eastern Illinois transfer, connected with Mario Price for an 84-yard score and Coen Demack for a 62-yard touchdown.
The Cougars (0-1) visit Wisconsin-Whitewater at 1 p.m. Sept. 12.
CSU falls to UT Martin
Chicago State went on the road for the first time and fell 42-7 to Tennessee Martin on Sept. 5.
The Cougars (0-2) led 7-0 after the first quarter when Ashton Pannell hit DeArmond Matthews with a 6-yard touchdown pass. But Martin (1-1) responded with the next six touchdowns in the game.
The Cougars host NAIA member Kentucky Christian (1-1) at noon Sept. 12 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview.
Fire report
Maren Haile-Selassie scored a pair of goals while Robert Lewandowski added one as the visiting Chicago Fire tied Toronto 4-4 on Sept. 5 in an MLS game. They also scored an own goal.
The Fire (11-6-5) extended their streak to six MLS games without a loss and were scheduled to host Miami on Sept. 9 and New England at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at Soldier Field.
The Fire II lost 4-0 on the road to Crown Legacy Sept. 4 in MSL NEXT Pro play in North Carolina.
The Fire (10-10-6) host Philadelphia at 3 p.m. Sept. 13 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview.