Bolts Are Back to Business Tonight in Bethesda
BETHESDA, JULY 8—Along with Head Coach Brock Hunter, outfielder Gabe Pegues (Lynchburg) and pitcher Christian Dray (Richmond) celebrated All-Star festivities last night at Shirley Povich Field. Tonight, Pegues and the Thunderbolts (7-20) are heading back to Bethesda to play the Big Train (19-8) at 6 P.M.
On June 24, outfielder Joey King (St. Olaf) walked off Bethesda at Blair Stadium with a center field single. Since then, the Big Train has been pedaling full steam ahead. Bethesda is riding a nine game win streak, and have outscored their opponents by over four runs on average during that stretch.
Last night, six players from Bethesda represented the Ripken League All-Star team on their home field. This includes outfielder Emilio Gonzalez (NSU), who has been on fire since the start of July. In his last five games, the lefty is batting 6-15 with three RBIs, three walks, and a home run.
Including Gonzalez, the Big Train have seven players batting above .300 this season. Bethesda also has a knack for power, as they lead the Ripken League with 86 extra base hits. The second best XBH mark is held by the Olney Cropdusters at 64. In addition, Big Train has the highest team average (.290) and OPS (.865) in the Ripken League.
Starting pitcher Zach Bortner (Jr., Frederick CC) will be tasked with containing the tumultuous Big Train offense tonight. On June 7, Bortner made his first pitching appearance of the summer against Bethesda. The lefty threw two relief innings, allowed two hits, and surrendered three earned runs. Since that outing, Bortner has solely been a starter for Silver Spring-Takoma. In four starts, he has thrown 13 innings, allowed 18 hits, surrendered 11 earned runs, and struck out 15.
TBolts outfielder Griffin Puvel (Rider) has been pulverizing pitching as of late. In his last four games, the righty is 7-18 with four RBIs and a home run; Puvel is one of four players on the TBolts who have smacked a home run this season. The right-hander will be batting in the seven-hole tonight for Silver Spring-Takoma.
The Thunderbolts have yet to salvage a victory at Shirley Povich Field this summer. On June 2, they lost 12-11 thanks to a walk-off single by Gonzalez. On June 14, they lost 14-3 in an early morning massacre. Tonight, the TBolts will look to derail Bethesda for a big time upset.
First pitch is set for 6 P.M. Patrick Moran and Brian Alves will be broadcasting on the Thunderbolts’ YouTube Channel live from Shirley Povich Field.