Crestwood, Ill. -- The Lake Erie Crushers scored first in their 2011 opener against Windy City on Thursday night at Standard Bank Stadium, but surrendered seven runs in the bottom of the second, as they fell by the final score of 9-1.

Lake Erie (0-1) scored their lone run of the contest in the top of the second inning on Patrick Norris’s two-out base hit which plated Nick Mahin, but Windy City (1-0) responded by scoring nine unanswered runs the rest of the way.

After retiring the first batter of the second inning, Josh Roberts (0-1) surrendered three consecutive singles to load the bases. He struck out Mike Torres to record the second out, and gave up a two-run single to Josh Womack. Roberts then walked Brandon Anderson to load the bases again before Ryan Basham ripped a bases clearing double off the wall in left to plate the next three runs.

The Thunderbolts added two more runs in the second, on Zach Aakhus’s single and a double from Garrett Regan. Windy City sent 11 batters to the plate in the big frame, scoring seven times on seven hits. They would add two more runs, getting an RBI double from Aakhus in the fourth, and the same from Chase Porch an inning later.

The Crushers had chances, but could not cash in, as they hit into four double plays on the evening.

Windy City lefty Todd Privett (1-0) was solid through six innings in a winning effort, allowing just a run on six hit with a pair of strikeouts. Matt Jernstad came out on in relief for the Thunderbolts and tossed three scoreless innings.

The Crushers’ bullpen held the Thunderbolts to just a run on two hits through the final four innings of the game. Four different pitchers, Andrew Berger, Greg Hendrix, Jeff Cinadr, and Ruben Flores all tossed one inning of relief.

Mahin paced the Crushers offensively, going 2-for-2 with a base hit, a double, and a walk. Chase Fontaine and Kyle Poe were the only other players to reach safely twice for the Crushers, Fontaine went 1-for-1 with a single and a walk, while Poe went 1-for-1 with a double and a free pass.

The Crushers and Thunderbolts will square off again on Friday night. Right hander Travis Risser will get the start for Lake Erie, and the Thunderbolts will counter with lefty Paul Fagan. The first pitch is scheduled for 8:05 PM.