BY NICK ROBINSON
BROOMFIELD— After being swept just a day earlier in Colorado Springs, Thunder Academy answered with a 4-2 victory over the Colorado Cyclones at Legacy High School on Wednesday evening.
“We had a lot of guys missing yesterday,” Thunder Academy head coach Darron Cox said. We were down about six guys. But that team did a good job. I thought our guys did a pretty good job of battling today. We saw some pretty good arms from the Cyclones.”
Broomfield native and Thunder Academy (2-4) pitcher Josh Lallier (4 IP, 4 K’s 1 ER) felt his experience against the Cyclones (2-1) last year helped him pick up the victory.
“I played against them last year, so I knew what to expect,” he said. “They’re the best team in the league. So, I wanted to bring my best stuff – and I think I did that.”
Lallier, who recently played at division-one Louisiana-Monroe, gave up an earned run in the first inning, but settled in for the rest of his stint.
“I hit a guy in the foot with a fastball in that first inning,” he said added. “I needed to regroup and find my zone. It could have gone downhill. Luckily it didn’t and I was able to get back to it.”
Thunder Academy scored three runs in the third and fourth innings, to give themselves a lead they’d hold onto for the rest of the contest.
Jonah Cox (2-5, RBI) led Thunder Academy offensively, while Blake Rohm and Patrick Kennedy combined for five innings of work and seven strikeouts. Jack Radford (3 IP, 5 K’s) took the loss for Colorado, while Evan Richards (2-4) headlined the offense.
“They’re a good ball club,” Cox said. “We are more concerned about our club and what we have going on here. We have the things we need to work on, and we have more battles with ourselves than with other clubs.”
Lallier, a third year Thunder Academy player, feels Coach Cox and staff have helped him prepare for outings like this.
“The coaching staff is amazing,” he said. “They have designed me to what I am now. We have some great teammates here, too. That makes it easier to come back, as well.”
Both teams will compete again on Thursday in Johnstown for a doubleheader at Nelson Farm. First pitch is slated for 5pm.
“This does good things for us,” Lallier said. “I think we have a good shot of beating them tomorrow and maybe going on a winning streak.”
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