CRESTWOOD, Ill. — Slippery Rock starting pitcher Kory Bucklew failed to get out of the second inning Wednesday afternoon as the Sliders dropped a 16-0 decision to Windy City in Frontier League baseball.

The host ThunderBolts (41-17) equaled their season win total of a year ago and lead the Central Division by 10Z\x games. They struck for nine runs on nine hits against Bucklew, who was pulled from the game with two outs in the second inning.

The Sliders (15-42) trailed 12-0 through three innings and managed only four hits all day. Anthony Albano doubled and singled for the visitors.

Windy City pitcher Shawn Phillips struck out eight through seven scoreless innings and leads the league in strikeouts.

Mike Coles homered, scored four runs and knocked in three for Windy City. Scott Billek added a double, triple and four RBI.

The Sliders and ThunderBolts conclude their three-game series at Windy City tonight, then travel to Rockford (Ill.) for a three-game weekend series beginning Friday evening.