TBolts Will Have Another Go-Around with Gaithersburg Tonight on the Road
GAITHERSBURG, JULY 3—The Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts (6-19) will visit Criswell Automotive Field for the second time this week, and they will play the Gaithersburg Giants (12-14) for the third time in five days.
The TBolts have struggled to slay the Giants in their previous meetings, and Gaithersburg have constantly exploded for big innings. On Monday, the Giants beat the Bolts 10-2, and piled on a five-run sixth inning. On Wednesday, Gaithersburg finagled a four-run first inning and won 8-2 at Blair Stadium.
In both of these games, the Giants did a great job of capitalizing with runners in scoring position. With their elite pitching and defense, Gaithersburg has not been phased at all by the Thunderbolts bats; the TBolts have struck out twelve times this week against the Giants. In their last two meetings, both teams have been even in the hitting category. However, the Giants have drawn 21 walks compared to Silver Spring-Takoma’s 10.
Griffin Roussell (Point Park) will make his fourth start for the Thunderbolts this summer. In his last start against the Senators on June 27, Roussell pitched two innings, allowed four hits, surrendered five earned runs, and secured one strikeout. The right-hander has used his fastball and splitter to punch out 10 batters in 13.2 innings this season.
Infielder Ayden Phillips (Northwest Florida State) has been on fire for Gaithersburg in 2026; he is a weapon the Giants will use gracefully if he appears in the lineup. In 23 games, Phillips has a .349 average, .901 OPS, 30 hits, 16 walks, and eight stolen bases; his team-leading 24 RBIs are also the second most in the Ripken League. In five games against the TBolts, Phillips is 7-20 with nine RBIs and four walks.
Due to high temperatures, first pitch tonight is scheduled for 7:30 P.M. at Criswell Automotive Field. Similar to days prior, the game will only last for seven innings. Brian Alves and Peter Kelly have the call tonight on the Thunderbolts’ YouTube channel.