Thunderbolts Are Hoping Third Time Will Be The Charm vs. Bethesda Tonight At Blair
SILVER SPRING, JUNE 11—Due to stormy weather, yesterday’s scheduled game between the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts (1-5) and Alexandria Aces (4-3) was cancelled. This rainout allowed for the Thunderbolts to fully recharge for tonight’s monstrous matchup with the Bethesda Big Train (3-3). The Thunderbolts are looking to secure their first win against their beltway rival in 2026.
In the season opener on June 2, the Big Train walked off the Thunderbolts thanks to a left-field single by Emilio Gonzalez (Sr., Nova Southeastern). Gonzalez currently leads the Ripken League in RBIs with 10, and has a team-leading eight hits. In total, he is 5-11 with eight RBIs and two walks against Silver Spring-Takoma this season. If the TBolts want to pull off the win, containing Gonzalez will be key.
On June 7, Bethesda bruised the Thunderbolts with a 27-13 mercy rule massacre at Blair. In this seesaw battle, Bethesda trampled the TBolts with a 12-run seventh inning. The TBolts’ kryptonite of this loss was the 22 walks that pitching issued; nine of these walks came in the seventh inning alone. Simply put, the Thunderbolts need to find the zone if they want to keep things competitive.
Looking to derail the Big Train offense today is Brady Grimes (Jr., Millersville), who was scheduled to start yesterday against Alexandria. Due to the rainout, Grimes will start in his second go-around against Bethesda. In 2.1 IP on June 2, Grimes surrendered three hits, issued two walks, and struck out the first Big Train batter he saw. The 6”7’ righty will look to rock and roll once more, but this time at home.
Grimes will fire the first pitch at 7 P.M. at Blair Stadium. For those who can’t attend, tune into the Thunderbolts YouTube channel tonight for full coverage of tonight’s battle of the beltway.