TBolts to Square Off with Sens for a Saturday Doubleheader
SILVER SPRING, JUNE 27—The Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts (5-15) will face the Southern Maryland Senators (14-7) twice tonight at Blair Baseball Stadium. Since this is a scheduled doubleheader, both of these games will go seven innings (barring the need to go into extras).
In their last rendezvous, the Sens squandered the Thunderbolts 7-6 on June 16 in Waldorf. This game ended in emphatic fashion, thanks to a walk-off solo homer by outfielder James Carlson (Jr., Youngstown State). Since his walk-off, Carlson has batted 10-26 with 10 RBIs in his last 9 games.
The Senators have won three of their last four games, and they currently sit atop the South division standings. Their most recent victory came last night in an 11-inning outing against the DC Grays. In their 4-3 win, outfielder Bud Coombs (Jr., Vanderbilt) clobbered his fifth home run of the year, and now leads the Ripken League in dingers. Coombs has been a serious staple in the Senators’ lineup this summer; the righty is batting .435 with 19 RBIs through 12 games.
Last night, the Thunderbolts’ offense was completely neutralized against the Olney Cropdusters at First Responder Field. The TBolts tallied three hits in total, and ultimately fell 7-1 for their second straight loss. In their last home game, Joey King (So., St. Olaf) came through with a walk-off single against the Bethesda Big Train. King and the TBolts will look to continue their home cooking tonight.
Right-hander Griffin Roussell (Jr., Point Park) will rock and roll on the rubber to start Game One for the Thunderbolts. Rousell’s last appearance came last week against the Alexandria Aces; the righty pitched 3.2 innings, allowed six hits, and surrendered five earned runs. The Ellicott City native features a fastball and splitter that have been successful in striking out nine batters this season.
In Game Two, Matthew Calabrese (So., Frederick CC) will make his first official start in 2026. Calabrese has four relief appearances under his belt, and has amassed a WHIP of 1.69. The sidearm righty has not pitched more than 3.1 innings thus far, so it will be intriguing to see how long he will toe the rubber tonight.
First pitch is set for 4:30 P.M., and Game Two will begin shortly after the close of Game One. For those who can’t attend, be sure to tune into the Thunderbolts’ YouTube broadcast. Peter Kelly and Patrick Moran’s will be giving live play-by-play coverage of both games.