Thunderbolts and Senators Square Off Tonight at Blair
SILVER SPRING, JULY 16 — The Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts (11-22) are due to face the Southern Maryland Senators (20-13) tonight at Blair Stadium. According to the Cal Ripken Website, this is a make-up of the second game from the doubleheader between these two teams on June 27.
The Thunderbolts have lost two heartbreaking games to the Senators this summer. On June 16, the TBolts went up 6-0 over Southern Maryland thanks to two homers—a solo shot and grand slam—by outfielder Trent Lopez (Cornell). However, the Senators stormed back, and James Carlson (Youngstown State) hit a walk-off homer to win it 7-6 at North Point High School. On June 27, the Thunderbolts went ahead 7-2, but eventually lost 8-7 at Blair; Josh Tseronis (Delaware) hit a clutch eighth inning homer to give Southern Maryland the late lead.
While he has only played in 12 games, Senators outfielder Bud Coombs (Vanderbilt) is one of the most eye-popping players in the Ripken League. The DeMatha Catholic alumni is batting .435 with 19 RBIs, 14 walks, and five home runs. Infielder Chase Fulford (Binghamton) is also having a fantastic summer. The righty is batting .346 with 18 RBIs and 22 walks. Fulford also has 23 stolen bases, which is the second most in the Ripken League.
Tonight, Coombs and Fulford will face the right arm of Emilio Rodriguez (La Salle). Rodriguez threw five innings of relief against Southern Maryland on June 27 at Blair. That night, the righty struck out a season-high nine Senators—this is still the most K’s delivered by a TBolt in a single outing this summer.
Rodriguez looked sharp in four innings against DC last week, but his only falter was the six walks he issued. Southern Maryland has drawn 238 walks this season, which is the most in the Ripken League. Therefore, E-Rod will need to find the strike zone to set a dominant tone for the TBolts.
Head Coach Brock Hunter believes another crucial component to success comes from limiting opponents’ offensive explosions. “If we limit big innings and hit the way we’ve been hitting, it’s gonna be hard to beat us,” Hunter said before yesterday’s game against the Cropdusters. “If we limit the big inning, have some clean ones, and make plays, we should be on top.”
The TBolts are looking to come out on top against Southern Maryland tonight at 7 P.M. Patrick Moran and Brian Alves will bring you the call on the Thunderbolts YouTube broadcast.