Mud Monsters Sweep ThunderBolts in Doubleheader
Williams and Mitchell shine as Mississippi takes both games in Crestwood

CRESTWOOD, Ill. (June 19, 2025) — The Mud Monsters bounced back in a big way Wednesday, sweeping a doubleheader on the road against Windy City to get back in the win column and grab momentum heading into the final leg of the road trip.

In Game One, right-hander Brian Williams (2-2) delivered a complete game gem in a 2–1 win, striking out seven over seven innings while allowing just three hits and one run. He walked three and induced five groundouts, outdueling Dylan Kirkeby (2-3) in a low-scoring battle.

Mississippi broke through in the first inning when Travis Holt reached on an error and scored on a delayed steal sequence with Kyle Booker. The Mud Monsters added a key insurance run in the sixth thanks to a two-out RBI double by Ti’Quan Forbes, scoring Booker again after back-to-back walks.

Samil De La Rosa went 2-for-3 in the 2–1 win, leading a four-hit effort that proved just enough to back Williams’ standout outing.

In Game Two, the offense wasted no time as Mississippi posted a 6–2 win to complete the sweep. Kyle Booker led off with a double and scored on one of Karell Paz’s four RBIs in the nightcap. Travis Holt and Ryan Cash added early hits, and Mississippi jumped out to a 2–0 lead in the first inning.

Paz stayed hot with a sac fly in the second, then doubled home Booker again in the fifth to make it 5–2. Andriel Lantigua grounded out to bring home another run, and Paz capped the night with his fourth RBI on a seventh-inning groundout.

Brandon Mitchell (3-2) pitched five solid innings, working out of a fourth-inning jam with a 1-2-3 double play started by his own glove. Michael Reed closed the door with two shutout innings and four strikeouts to earn his second save.

Mississippi improves to 17–19 and takes a two-game win streak into their final stop of the road trip.

Standings Snapshot
With Wednesday’s doubleheader sweep, the Mud Monsters improve to 17–19 on the season and remain in fourth place in the Frontier League’s Midwest Conference West Division:

• Schaumburg Boomers – 24–12 (—)
• Gateway Grizzlies – 20–15 (3.5 GB)
• Joliet Slammers – 19–17 (5.0 GB)
• Mississippi Mud Monsters – 17–19 (7.0 GB)
• Windy City ThunderBolts – 9–27 (15.0 GB)

Team Leaders (Through June 19):

• AVG: Kyle Booker (.310), Brayland Skinner (.294)
• HR: Travis Holt (6 – T-3rd in FL Midwest)
• RBI: Travis Holt (21), Kyle Booker (19), Karell Paz (19)
• SB: Brayland Skinner (25 – 1st in Frontier League)
• ERA: Chris Barraza (0.59), Michael Reed (1.53)
• Wins: Tyree Thompson (4 – T-1st in FL Midwest)
• Strikeouts: Brian Williams (36 – 3rd in FL Midwest), Brandon Mitchell (33)

Up Next
The Mud Monsters continue their road trip in Sauget, Illinois, with a three-game series against the Gateway Grizzlies (20–15) beginning Friday, June 21. First pitch is set for 6:30 PM CDT. Mississippi is expected to start right-hander Joshua Paulina (2-2) against Gateway’s Ben Harris (1-0).

Next Homestand – June 24–29 at Trustmark Park:
• June 24 – Master Mudders Club (55+) & Bingo
• June 25 – Monster Matinee & “What’s on the Stick?” Wednesday
• June 26 – Golf Night & Thirsty Thursday ($2 draft beers)
• June 27 – Fireworks Friday presented by Mississippi Forestry Commission
• June 28 – Red, White & Tanked Bud Tank Top Giveaway (21+) + Jersey Auction
• June 29 – Howl in the Park, Kids Club Day presented by BadgePass + Kids Run the Bases presented by Mississippi Children’s Museum

Tickets are available now at mudmonstersbaseball.com — don’t miss your chance to catch the swamp’s wildest week of the season.

About the Mississippi Mud Monsters
The Mississippi Mud Monsters bring high-energy baseball, swampy fun, and fierce competition to Central Mississippi. Playing their inaugural season at Trustmark Park, the Mud Monsters are redefining summertime in Pearl with a blend of cinematic flair, community connection, and all-out entertainment. Inspired by classic monster movies and fueled by grit, hustle, and heart, the team offers fans of all ages a uniquely Southern ballpark experience — one where the fun is loud, the vibes are weird, and the monsters are always ready to rise.

Story by Jeffrey Nelson

###