TBolts Kick Off Three-Game Homestand Tonight Against the Grays
SILVER SPRING, JUNE 30—The Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts (5-17) begin their longest home stretch of the summer tonight against the DC Grays (8-14). The Thunderbolts are looking to end their four-game losing streak after dropping a 10-2 game yesterday at Gaithersburg.
Yesterday, DC ended their five game losing streak with a 6-4 home victory over the Metro South County Braves. Parker Shenman (So., Catholic) slugged his second home run of the season, and Benny Bikar (Jr., Southern) tallied two hits.
Shenman and Bikar will take on Christian Dray (So., Richmond), who is making his fourth start of the season. Dray has been one of the strongest pitchers on the TBolts—and in the Ripken League—this summer. In 11.1 innings pitched, the righty has 12 strikeouts, a 1.41 WHIP, and an ERA of 1.59; Dray’s ERA is currently the fifth lowest in the Ripken League.
This is not Dray’s first go-around with the Grays. On June 5, he had an efficient outing at Catholic University in Silver Spring-Takoma’s 13-5 win. The righty threw three innings, allowed three hits, and struck out three Grays. On June 18, Dray gave the Grays four innings at Blair in their 8-4 loss; he struck out four, allowed four hits, and surrendered one earned run. Today, Dr. Dray gets to operate once more against the Grays in front of the fans at Blair Stadium.
On paper, the Grays are the weakest offensive team in the Ripken League. They have the least amount of hits, RBIs, and walks. Additionally, DC has the lowest team average and OPS. Both teams have similar defensive struggles; the TBolts and Grays have given up the most hits and runs in the Ripken League. However, Silver Spring-Takoma have 21 more errors than the Grays, which has hindered them all season.
With that being said, the TBolts have not committed an error since June 25. There is a noticeable increase in outfield assists, and the infield is handling tough grounders with more composure.
Gabriel Pegues (So., Lynchburg) and Jona Acosta (So., North Flordia) have been two bright spots for a struggling Thunderbolts team. In his last three games, Acosta is 4-10 with two walks, four RBIs, and five infield assists. Pegues is 4-10 with three walks, two RBIs, and three stolen bases in his last three appearances. Acosta and Pegues have also proven to be two of the speediest baserunners in the Ripken League.
The TBolts will get it running tonight at Blair, with first pitch set for 7 P.M. Brian Alves and Peter Kelly will bring you the call on the Thunderbolts’ YouTube broadcast.